St. Joseph County Independent, Volume 20, Number 3, Walkerton, St. Joseph County, 4 August 1894 — Page 2

MEMORIES. A BLESSED TRINITY. I love that < id Sixon name That old-time name of Mother/ Fond recollections make it teem Sweeter than any other. Around it cluster memories Which time cannot efface; No modern name or title Can ever take its place. The French bon voyage and adieu May suit 1 ollie monsieur; But do not bring the echoes I Os sweet music to my ear. Like the whole-souled phrase which greets mo — f“ A phrase not born to die, — When I take a comrade s hand in mine, And hear him say. • Good-by I'* 1 rather like the candor Os old friends when they meet; In the outspoken “God bless you !' There is something far more sweet; And in those quaint old fashioned words More music seems to dwell TJian in any modern greeting, Or studied, set farewell. Many an aged mother, When parting from her, child. While tears have dimmed her eyesight, Hus murmured, as she smiled : 'Tis sweet at parting, thus to have Your children each caress you ; And hear that trinity of teims : “Mother!” “Good-by I” -God bless you I —Boston True Flag. SPEAKING TRUMPET. My friends, did you ever know CapL Karkbo:n. who commanded the ship Sintram of Boston, on several voyages around the Cape of Good Hope? You didn’t Well, many people did, and they knew him for a sterling shipmaster and a worthy man; honto his fel-low-men. On his arst voyage in the Sintram he was favored with as tine a crew to handle the ship as ever ca ked a biscuit or handled a marlinspike. The men were prompt, obedient, active, and ever ready for an emergency: ’ always in good spirits, and contented with their lot Such crews are not always met with. Their good conduct may, in part, have been owing I to the kind, considerate, yet lirmand judicious bearing of Capt. Karkhorn, who never found fault without cause, or allowed his oliters to do sa lie remembered that sailors were men, and granted them as many indulgences as were compatible with a proper state of discipline and subordination. However this may be. there was no revolt, row. grumbling, or disorder of any kind on board the Sintram that voyage. The officers did their duty, and the men did theirs, and they helped each other. It is not often, 1 am sorry to say^that a ship peforms an East India voyage with like results. When the ship arrived in Boston, after a successful voyage, and the sa.lors were paid off they put their loose heads together, and held a consultation, over which the I oatswain presided, in regard to the best method of testifying their grateful feelings toward Capt. Karkhorn for his kindness during the voyage, and their appreciation of the many noble Qualities he possessed. After a lengthy but somewhat spicy discussion, it was resolved, nem. con., that a handsome speaking trumpet should be procured an I presented to the Captain as a mark of respect from the chip’s company. The speaking trumpet, quite a showy one, brass, with silver rims, and a magnificent mouthpiece, was procured, every man contributing a Ibhare of the expense. ( ne day. when the crew pad reason to believe that Captain Karkhorn was at the count-ing-room of Messrs. G rue bach N Gusto, the owners of the Sintram, the sailors who composed the ship’s company on her last voyage, with the boatswain at their head, carrying in bls hand the speaking trumpet, like a truncheon, and the cook, a stalwart Atri an .bringing up the rear, marched in solemn procession to the counting-room Captain Karkhorn was in the counting-room settling his accounts with the owners, when the procession enteied the room, the boatswain waiving the speaking trumpet, with triumph in his looks. To say that the worthy captain was not. only astonished, but alarmed, would convey but a limited idea of his feelings. Messrs. Gruebach N Gusto hardlv knew what to make of this strange advent of the eailovs, and ga ed ad miringly and expectantly on the scene. “Boatswain,” said Captain Karkhorn, -‘what is the trouble? Why are you all here? Have you anything to complain ot?” The boatswain, a tail, tine-looking sailor, smiled benignly, took oil his hat with the hand which was unincumbered, and dropped it on the floor. The men followed his example in removing their tarpaulins. The boatswain threw himself into an oratqjiyal attitude, drew from his ■packet a paper, and proceeded to ! sad with a clear sake and proper Emphasis the f Plowing address: “Captain Karkhorn- tne men who belonged to the ship Sintram on her late voyage to the Ea-t Indies give you their hearty thanks for the kind and maniv treatment they received from you during the voyage, and beg you to accept the trilling gift which I now hold in my hand as a pledge of our respect and gratitude. it is our wish that it. may serve you long and well, and be ot signal use when giving orders from the quarter-deck. We, your old crew, have all shipped for a voyage to Rio .Janeiro in the ship Pyramus, which sails the day after to-morrow, and have called to express our teelings and bid you farewell. “Captain Karkhorn, it is our sincere wish that you may meet with oceans of good luck during the remainder of your voyage through life; never lose your reckoning, be put on short allowance, capsized, swamped, or delayed in a huricane on a lee shore. May you always steer clear of calms, fogs, typhoons, and thunder squalls, enjoying steady breezes, a clear sky, and plenty of sea room, until you reach that port to which we aie' all bound, and brought safely to

anchor, there to ’emain until the chiet boatswain Gaor.el shall blow a summons from his trumpet that shall i break your moorings and send you | away wing and wing to the mansions of the blessed ” The boatswain, having waded sue- j cessfully through his speech, made a 1 ow, looking earnestly at the captain, and thrust the speaking trumpet toward him. Captain Karkhorn was a modest man, and although never ata loss on the quarter-deck, he was shy and re- | served in his intecourse with the world. He was completely taken I aback” by the boatswain’s harangue. ■ He blushed—he stammered. He t ok the speaking trumpt in his hand, and attempted for the first time in his life to make an oratorical display— } but in vaid. All he could say was: “My good fellows. 1 am surprised—this is most unexpected—l am . eternally obliged to you—l—l— ! j am—” The boatswain, seeing the captain “in irons,” which he could not get । out of, and himself and companions having well perfumed their duty, happily and considerately concluded that the best thing to be done was to ' close the ceremony with a “round turn and two half-hitches." He made . a sign to his .shipmates, and one and all gave three rousing cheers, to the great astonishment of Messrs. Grue- I j,bayh N Gusto and the group of idlers i which had collected, and marched ' rapidly away. ( apt. Karkhorn was prou iof his trumpet He showed it to admiring : friends, and declared he would not part with it for its weight in gold: that it should be his companion on every future voyage, and strengthen his voice when putting the ship about, , or hailing the men aloft in a gale of wind. He was as good as his word- and even went beyond it On his next voyage the trumpet was seldom out •of his hand when he was on deck. He got into such a habit of using it, to the great annoyance of the sailors and the disguest of the o 1 cers, that if he wished to speak to a man a couple of fathoms off, he would put the trumpet to his mouth and bawl,as il hailing the flying jib-boom or the main sky-sail yard. Capt Karkhorn was the only person on board who rejoiced in the sound of the brazen insttuiueut—all others heartily wished it sunk in the bottom of the -ea . One pleasant day on the homeward bound passage, when approaching the edge of the Gulf Stream, to the southward of Hatteras, about 5 o'clock in afternoon, a co wa> raised that a grampus had come up to blow on the lee quarter. '1 his caused quite a commotion, as is always the case at sea wneu a ilsh makes his appearance, a strange sail heaves in sight, or any other out <>Mhe-way event breaks the monotony of a long pa- sage. । The grampus was a young and inexperienced fish, cf small size comparat.vtly. being not more than ten < r twelve feet in length. He had probably never seen a ship before, and manifested a laudable curiosity by sailing round and closely examin . mg Hi • huge wooden monster, which, without flipper or fins, was plunging so steadily along through the water. Indeed, he once came so near that Captain karkhorn thought he would be able to reach him w,th the harpoon, and as the fish again < ame up on the weather quarter to blow, the captain laid his trumpet on the tai! rail, sei ed the harpoon and threw it towaids him with surprising force and one gy. The harpoon fell short of the mark, and the grampus disappeared. But Joe liaikins. who had mounted the taffrail during the hub ub an I excitement. anxiQus to lend a hand in the capture of the fish, on getting down to the quarter-deck accidentally struck his fool against the speak ng trumpet, and knocked it overboard. At least this was the story, but some ventured to say there was no a cident in the case; that Joe merely seized a good opport unity to rid the ship of an intolerable nuisance Deep was the regret of the captain at the loss of the speaking trumpet, i1 is uybane temper was rutiled, and the careless sailor was reprimanded in language which was neither pious nor polite, an unusual proceeding on the part ot the wo; thy skip, er, and a useless one, too, for every greenhorn knows that any substance that has been sunk to the bottom ol the sea cannot be recovered by an outbreak ot temper and intemperate language. Th • speaking trumpet was lost. Sad and sorrowful, Captain Karkhorn retired at a late hour that night to his stateroom, anxious to sleep in remembrance ol his misfortune. But this solace was of short duration. Toward morning he was aroused by the second mate, and hastening on deck, was astounded by the information that strange and unnatural sounds had been heard at intervals on the water not far from the ship: sometia es a bellowing, as if the bulls of Bashan nad been let loose. These sounds, which sometimes seemed to be ahead, sometimes astern, sometimes on the bow, and sometimes on the quarter, were inexplicable. They could not be accounted for on any rational or philosophical principles, and spread terror among the crew, who ascribed them to the p.esen e of disembodied spirits, making efforts to give warning ot' an impending disaster. When daylight appeared the discussion relating to the cause of these ■ alarming sounds was interrupted by Joe Malkins, who sung out from the fore-yard that a grampus was prowl- ! : i ing about on the weather bow, I 1 not a cable’s length from the ship. ! The attention of all hands was I ’ now turned toward the big fish, f । which was acting strangely, playing i various antics, as if crazy or practis--1 ing maritime gymnastics for a wager, • and every now and then amusing ' himself and frightening honest peo- ) pie by giving vent to those diabolical

r’alnts and walls and yells, til gator afflicted with the • an ' ? । lading lessons in church musiAinsy Capt. Karkhorn for the nw forgot his speaking trumpet, ^nent “I’ll have that fellow nows < he; “’tis the same rascal thaLsaid swimming around us last nighs was has met with trouble, and coi^ He of hard treatment, and wa^blains i world to know IL Hand aloPs the harpoon.'’ ig the As if w Hing to gratify tM tain's wishes, the grampus® capabout” and steered st aight ®“put the ship. As he drew neaWward liaikins shouted, from his possS Joe i foreyard: “I’ll be hanged ■> the 1 ilsh has not got a big gold-aslw that i mouth.” imu his ; The grampus came slowly^ ’ swimming on the top of tht along, , and evidently exhausted. It water, , could hardly keep pace with (deed, he which was going at the rat«heshfp, ! four or live knots. Suddenly• of only his head, and casting an i#’ e raised look toward the ship, elec^P !orin ^ hands by a hideous yell, howl; Hied all which burst abruptly on th$ rSDOrt ’ louder and quite as musica :r braving, in chorus, ot a A as 1 donkeys, and then died the rumbling of distant lkl Cant. Karkhorn was stia / * , unearthly sound, but soor4*;‘ a v V r "® , his presence of mind, am**• ‘ to the deck from the Vaio which he was seated, h' p ia ; hands as a new ■ head. jL “May Ibe sunk thlj^ ..wins in 1 the big pond,” he shuußJ, that villanous grampus has not luv sp aking trumpet, and, confi u . h Z impudence, he is now hailin’X., with it!” np The captain then, ruovel/». ¥ , , indignation as well as by capture a big fish, right g aspe I the harpoon, and minute it was deeply hurled Z_ t ‘ ; the shoulders of the unhappiMt^ After a severe struggle the was hauled on board, and ok j nve< . tigation it was dcmonst£^^ f< as clea ly as any case in Navigator, that when Joe ’Hilkins knocked the speaking trumke t overboard. ttie hungry Ilsh, takiW f or a choice morsel of food, had ‘seized it while it was sinking, and, attempting to l»oit it. the nozzle, crjnomthpiece, had stuck in his thrtjat. and could not begot up or dowq/jtad in his great agony the fish badjuUered or spouted through that high* prized instrument the b<»ar-c amm horrid screams and yells which had >o terribly affrighted the erewon board the giKKI ^ship Sintram. — Bostiio True 1 J SI til in Doubt. I The cabin stood a short Ihtance from the mountain real, arui as I pulled my horse up m front of it a woman hanging out clothes’ in the yard turned to see what 1 waited. “You don't remember me,’H .-aid, after saluting her. “I .eckon not,” she answered in a puzzded tone a- she came diwn to the fence. “1 was her c tert —v vT rour husband about some Uiut*e«>u^D Cook dinner with you." Her face brightened “^mediately. “Oh. yes,” she exclaimed, ‘T re collect now. Won’t you gitdownau' come in-”' • Thank you. no, but I’d like to see your husband." The -mile went out of her face instantly. • He's gone,” she said. ' And you aea widow?” 1 a-kel. th nking, of cour-e, the man was dead. “Well, 1 reckon I’m a sortuva one.” she ex|!ained: but 1 ain't shore whether it s a grass wid Jer er a hay widder. ” I didn't un lerstand, and told her •It's this wav." she continued, *da\ before yistiddy Bill run away with Sam Medderse-’ wife, aid Bap and Fam an’ my brother Jim has gone after him. Es they ketch hi u, I'm a hay widder: es they don't I reckon I’ll be a gruss widder. anyway, till somebody comes along to take Bill's place ” As I left that neighborhood before the gunning party returned. 1 don't know to this day whether it is grass or hay. A Tow n of Bones. Some forty or fifty years ago the catacombs were the object of daily visits, and the sight was,, one which every visitor to Paris ielt called upon to see. accidents, however, ire- ; quent'y took place, and at present no one enter the catacombs <\-eent it certain periods of the yeart hen tiie engineers have to make ^°i mi jeP >rt as to their condf~’ on ventilation is eifected » numerous boles < ominuni' atitM the upper air. The catacombs m ay*be entered from var.ous points. At the period of the daily vi-its. which were too often accompanied by accidents, the descent was made from the south near the Luxemburg Gardens. The names of v.sitors are called over I efore they go down, and again when they come up. The general aspect, of the place is not so solemn as might be imagined. It suggests rather a vast wine cellar, in which the cases enclose bones iu stead ot bottles. The remains of 4.009,000 persons now repose th re. Ibis subterranean city contains ; streets and passages like the city above, and each thoroughfare, numbered as though it consisted of houses, corresponds closely enough to i t'ne street, with its numbers, of the ' metropolis overhead. The object of । this careiully planned correspondence is to be able, in case of accident, to furnish assistance as soon as possible at the spot indicated. I amilies in t he United State*. Ihe I nited States had at the last census 12,691,052 families. In I^o the number was 9,945,01^

WAR OPENS IN COREA COREANS ATTACK THE JAPANESE AND MEET DEFEAT. Hostilities Began Under the Direct Instigation ot the Chinese—Japanese Cruiser Sinks a Chinese Transport In an Engagement. Other Nations Concerned. Oriental civilization is to bv put to the test of medsrn warfare, and before they are through, Russia, Franco, Germany, and England herself may be involved. Tradj rivalry will h"ve something to do with it, but territorial extension more. A dispatch received from Nagasaki, on the southwest tide of tlie Island of Kioo-Sioo, Japan, says that a detachment of Coroan troops, at the instigation of the Chinese resident, attacked the Japanese garrison and were defeated. A later telegram says that a Japanese cruiser and a Chine e transport have been engage 1, and that the cruiser sunk the transport. The British consul has recei.ed a te’ogram from the British charge d'affaires at Tokio stating that the Japanese have undertaken to regard Shanghai asou sidoof the sphere ot operatimf . A special to Bleoehor’s News Agency from Yokohama stalos that the Coroans and Chine o engaged in a battle with Tingsis labels, and a large n> m--ber wore kill d. It is reporte 1 that the < ’ore m king has been kidnaped by > lb” Japanese. The < hinese Consul at Nagasaki has ordered a l Chinese to leave the.r homes. Eight Japane c H p I F-h k mG —A AN 4to it hck ■ t Sen —Xz ■ A x H.PI V- Ch, TvZ'X IV Y X 3 A A ‘ sArcHiouKi’ IN-S GY ' 1 YELLOW < 'txjy ( I, li?v NG !—ISEA <s . — _ ;_v 0^ I •i.’* - 0 [ CDHlxrwrw'f i , I । b MAF or COBte

and three Chinese men >f-war and 2 100 troaps are at Junzen. So far as the case has been presented $o American readers Japan has the bet er side. Co ea is the cau?e of the prospective war. and her commercial inU-re»H in the hermit ki gdom are paramount. She has many of hersuK jects there, an I the trade Is largely in Japanese hand-. She la> a further gre vun e n the protection given to assassination by (hinese officials. < hma on tier part, has the claim, cen turies old, of ('ocean vassalage She can t let her va-sal be invaded and subdued by an ther country, even though the de;>en h n“y of Coro i has been a tra it ion rather t liana condit ion. China is the more powers d in numbers. Her soldiers an* well of cered. Her people are the more warlike. But Japan has the belter navy. >he has also the beiient of w ‘-tern ideas n her navy. She would be th • quick r to utili cai. mmiorn inver.tiers of warfare, and the opinion of military experts is, that the nai • u wh en is quick-c-t to avail :t-elf of the e inventions is sure to w n. Ja; an was the first of the A- atic nations to open her doot-s to western idea-. She en eon .aged intercourse. China i-still closed • cm at a few port-. Her trade and commerce are undeveloped. The empire is less homogeneous than Japan. But she has her great cham eßer, Jie Bismarck of the East, and his plan will undoubtedly be to have other nations fight Chinese battles. So it may be that the speck on the (oriental horizon will darken the European skies, and the long-p stponed war, which will detci mine the strength of the triple alliance a d place Kus-ia and France side by side in the battlefield, may ev en now be rumbling in the East. < lime of the Trouble. A few weeks ago Japan demanded that China join her in imposing fiscal reform upon the country and in the vorrocti n of political abuses, so as to do away with the । eriodieal insurrections that completely upset the count rv and inflict great annoyance and damage upon all foieig. ers engaged there. This seems to be a progressive and a laudable idea, but conservative and suspicious China declined the proposal, with thanks, tier answer was that it is her traditional policy not to interfere forcibly in the internal affairs of a vassal state. Thereupon Japan replied that if China would not help her ref< rm the country she would undertake the task herself. It is this new T ha-e of Corean affairs that may lead to ugly complications, and make the i acific border of Asia for awhile an object of particular attention to all the nations. , At, this point Russia thought it tin ely to make a few’ remarks. She warned Ja an that she would not be perm tted to acquire territorial right; iu Corea. Russia longs to include this lino peninsula in her Asiatic domain. Corea would give her the strategical I and commercial p sition on the Pacific which h r ice-bound northern coast docs not afford. CORN IS PARCHED. Crops of Zill Kinds in Need of Rain — Wheat Yield Is Good. The report of the United States weather bureau on the condition of ! crops, harvest, etc., throughout the | country’ f<jr the week shows that in many secticns. notably lowa. Minncso- I

ta, South Dakota. North Dakota, corn is suffering for rain, and in these and other sections fruit and late crops have been damaged by the sami | causes. Wheat, in the main, did only I fairly well, except Illinois, where the quality is good and the yield the larg- i est in years. The report as sent out by the Chicago station is as follows: Indiana—Hot and dry until Friday, when numerous local rains feL, benefiting corn In many fields; wheat and rye thrashing; oats and hay harvest continue with good yields. Illinois—Rainfall except in a few counties below the normal and badly distributed; temperature below normal and sunshine normal; where rain fell crop conditions improved; wheat yield and quality best in years; oats and rye harvest about over; more rain useded. Wisconsin—Drought continues, though partly broken by light shower; wheat, rye and barley mo it in stack: oats ready to cut, drop light except early sown, which will average well; pastures burned up and potatoes suffering severely from drought Monday was the hottest day ot the season, the thermometer ranging from 105 to 108 in the shade. lowa—Drought continues unbroken; corn in critical condition and damaged in driest districts; stock suffering for feed and water.

Minnesota—Warmer than usual, with unabated drought, injuring corn, potatoes and pasturage the most; wheat harvest boiun. and barley, hay and oat harvest progressing, i.lth yield rather light generally. South Dakota—Except in western and a few eastern countie, all cro s Injured, some permanently, by high temperature and dry atmosphere: some relief by showers; wheat harvest advanced; berry good, yield light. Kansas -Conditions generally favorable to corn, apples, meadows and pa-tures; thrashing of wheat and oats In progress yield fair, with good berry; pra.rle bay b- Ing cat. quality good, yield fine. Oklahoma Temperature and sunshine normal, with many local showers, which have improved most crops; corn generally very poor, but cottm magnificent: melons and vegetables in abundance; grass and pas ures poor. Nebraska—Week excessively dry and all vegetation has suffered severely: corn serlously Injured everywhere and many fields ruined. Ohio—Corn suffered seriously from the drought, Int reviving from rains; haying completed, with light yield secured in fine condition; oat harvest well advanced, but yield shortened by drought; wheat thrashing out with large yield; late potatoes, tobacco and young clover and pastures damaged. Missouri—Good showers in central and southwest sections greatly benefited corni In other sections drought continues, pastures failing, water scarce, and unless rain comes soon much corn will ba ruined: hay crop light, but secured in good condlt Inn. Ml-higan —Temperature and sunshine above normal, rainfall below; excessively dry. hot weather has injured late corn, ; otatocs, garden truck and pastures: drought broken by general rain, which revived vegetation somewhat. but more needed: wheat cut and thrashing begun. Arkansas—Weather favorable in all but northwest portton. vherecrots are needing rain; cotton forming and fruiting well and have most excellent prvsi.ects: corn much Improved and promises fair crop: sweet potatoes fine and second crop of Irish potatoes planted. Kentucky—< lo.t ly and cool; drought broken in most seel lons by showers during theveek; crops generally Improved and outlo k for e<>rn fine, but tobacco still backward: early potatoes very short: hay harvest completed, with very light yield; hemp doing poorly North Dakota —Everything suffering for ra u; harvesting of rye and barley commenced and baying nearly finished, with light crop; corn doing very well SENATOR HILL IS SARCASTIC. Compares the President’s Opponents with Conspiratori Against Ctesar. Another d;amatic scene occurred Ie the Se. ate 1 uc&duy. out— Cleveland, instead cf being, as on the previous day, tho object of attack by the o dcr of hi party was defended with vi<;or and vir' Mr. Cleve and's champion, was his old political rival, and enemy, Senator David Bennett Hill, of New York Tre New York Senator -n die for almo t two hours to breathless -a leries a d a full Senate. I Sev a< limes th,, presiding officer was ui.able to restrain the enthusiasm his remarks ewoked, n itably when Mr. Hill deelar d ti nt personal considerations would not prevent him from defending the President when he was un ustly attacked. He defended Mr. Clevela d's Utt r, hi- right to .-end it. and tlie - ntiments it obtained, and made a p >int against his a Iver.-aries when he pointed out ti nt th y c itici-e 1 the President for iding with the House when they admi.t. d that th/yhad used all th ir influence to induce him to interpose in beha f of the Senate amendments to the tariff bill. He took up Mr. Gorman’s argument and met it point by point in a manner satisfactory to himself, at lea-t, and concluded with a piece of satire that stung those on the floor and tickled . the galleries immeasurably. Mr. Gorman comj ared Mr. Hill to lago. Mr. Hill likened those who had j> ined in the assault on Mr. Cleveland to the conspirators who stabbed Ctsar to death at the foot of Pompey's statue In the Roman Senate. TO INVESTIGATE THE STRIKE. The United States Commissioner of L ibor Is Chairman of the Commission. The chairman of the commission to inws'. igate the recent strike is Carroll D. Wright, the United States Commissioner of Labor. Mr. Wright was

born in Dunbart n, N. H., in 1840. He received a good education and studied law. Before finishing his studies he enlisted in the 14th New Hampshire . Inf. He was made ' a lieutenant at Shen- ■ andoah Valley. I n 1 5 6. l he removed from New Hampshire to Boston.

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carroll d. wiHOHT. After serving in the State Senate he was appointed chief of the State bureau of statistics. While holding this office be recieved h’s pre ent appointment. In 18-Ohepre-I pared an extensive report on the ■ “factory System of the United States.” ; This commanded instant attention and i made his reputation. His appointment as chief of the investigating committee gives universal satisfaction. SIX MEN PERISH IN FLAMES. Firemen Tose Their Ures nt Washington —One Hundred Horses Burned* At Washington. D. C., the immense stables of the Knox Transfer Company caught tire. Th? Ida e spr ad rapidly, and soon the entir ‘-building was destroyo 1. A dispatch says: At least six firemen lost their lives by the walls falling on them and crushing them. Several other men were bally hurt. Over 100 horses were burned to death. ,

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. AN INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE LESSON. Reflections of an Elevating CharacterWholesome Food for Thought—Studying the Scriptural Lesson Intelligently and Profitably. Lesson fcr Aug. 5. The subject for this lesson is the “Baptism of Jesus,” and is found i t the opening sent nces of Mark's Gospel: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ," he says, and then note how ha begins. It is with an act of obedience to the divine behest. Johns personal fulfi lment of prophecy. In this Mark is true Io his practical, st.aightforward sjlf. Each one of the evangel-i-ts may be sai I to disclose his predominant spirit and purpose by the way he begins his gospel. Matthew, writing for the Jews, primarily, commences with the genealogical tables. John,

writing for the broad philosophical mind, strikes at once at the great ba-al principle of redemption. Luke, of the Greek east, the kind physician writing f< r all the Gentiles, goes l ack both, in his narrative and his geneal gy to show how Christ is the Savior of all. And here Mark, plunging at on e into the record o dee Is of tervi e, proves him-elf the pragmatist or reporter among the svc.ed four. He aims to tell the story ot the wonder-worker, to give the niov ng annals of the gospel day, and he loses no time in going about it. Gol: ex Text—-Thou art my beloved Son, in whom J am well pleased.”—Mark 1:1L Point* in the L^son. “The beginning of the gospel.” a good beginning, t e beginning of everything that is goo 1. Certain bad beginnings had already been made. Notice the “beginning ” of Gene is. the look of beginnings: beginning of unfaith, of sin. of death. Now the beginning of that which will make the crooked straight, the ’beginning of the gospel. ” Notice h ,w Mark gees back to the Gid Testament, and to almost the last wo.d of it, fcr his beginning of the New Testament, thus dovetailing the two together and in realit; proving them one and in eparable. Notice, al-o, how this quotation from Ma’achi and Isa ah at the outset is the only Scripture quotation in Mark. Having taken his text, ho goes i ight forward to the practical proof in the life and worn of God's servant —the living epistle. He first summons John the Baptist. In Mark’s panoramic picture of the Chri-t life the figures come naturally and in their most graphic or picturesque sequ nee. John comes first, ushering n the Christ: but the Christ once introduced, John disappears. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” What was John doing? Two things: Baptising and preaching. lut the word and the ordinance each had. the one object —repentance and through that the remission of sins. It is not baptism unto t! e remission of sins, but repentance unto the remi-sion of sins. As the preaching of it elf a d not remit sin, so also the baptism did not. It was repentance that gave the human fitness for God's sovereign work of re-mis-ion. Peter at the Pentecost, in this co nection, next gi.es the clue to it all. He does not say, as some have emphasi ed it Acts 2; “RepentiuM^ but "I of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” John was preach ng an I baptizing with this paramount purpose, to prepaie the way of the Lord. And presently by that prepared way. God's way, not man's, the way of meekcess and self-s irrender. Christ < ame walking. All at once, ' one day, there appeared among the people at t»e river's brink a stately form and a noble brow. John in recognition cries. "Behold the Lamb of God. ” and he involuntarily shrinks from his holy task. Then, ieassured he performs the sacred rite, the dove descends ana the signs of the reve at ion, vouchsa ed to John beforehand are complete. He that shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost is come! And now from the heavens themselves by the voice of God the eyes of man a e turned away forever from the forerunner to + he Christ. “Thou art my beloved Son.” The best hint and illustrati n" for this lesson is baptism itself. There is no preaching like it. AVhat can honor God like this a -t of meek obedience to his word; what can honor the Son like this bec< ming acceptance of his example of righteous acceptance of the i ather’s will; what can honor the Spirit like this crucifixion of the flesh for the sake of the truth as it is in Jesus And >o here at the baptismal waters the voice of God still speaks the clearest and best: “This is my beloved Son. in whom I am well pleased. ” Next Lesson—“ The Temptation of Jesus.” Matt. 4:1-11. F «cts in Few Words. AN industrious Sedalia. Mo., burgla • went through seven hou-es in a single night, recently. It is asserted that in 99 cases cut of U o the left sid • of the human face is tlie more perfect in outline. A YOUN ; woman somnambulist o' C.ab Creek, Ont., recently plunged j into a stream and swam across it while asleep. . The largest artificial stone in the world form - the basis of Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty, Bedloe Island. New Y'ork harbor. The Pall Mall Gazet e sent cue of its staff as a member of th? orchestra to tell the story cf Duse's appearance before the Queen. It is computed that all the houses in London ami New York could be built c f the lava thrown oat by Vesuvius since the first recorded eruption in A. D. 79. Berlin claims the record for quickness in turning out a fire brigade. At a local test a company was in readiness j in twenty-two seconds after the alarm was sounded. A caterpillar in the course of a month will devour 6,00) times its own weight in food. It will take a man three months to eat an amount of food e jual to his own weight. The length of time that footprints will e । ain fresh-looking in the soil on tlie coast of Greenland, is remarkable. Tracks that appear but t few hours ; old have freouently been mado for wee' ’