The Syracuse Journal, Volume 6, Number 30, Syracuse, Kosciusko County, 20 November 1913 — Page 2

The Syracuse Journal GEO. O. SNYDER, Publisher. Syracuse, • - - Indiana, CHINESE BiO ~ BURNINGJOWNS Brigand Chief Heads Armies— Leaves Cities in Ruins. GOVERNMENT IS POWERLESS American Consulate Has Demanded That Pretender of Ming Dynasty Be Arrested —U. S. Missionaries in Peril. Peking, China, Nov. 17.—Brigandage in China has spread until some robber bands have assumed the dignity of small armies. „ They muster both foot and cavalry and are as large as two American regiments. No province is free from raiders. From Manchuria, where the Hunghutzes ply their trade, to Kwantung, infested by pirates, and from Kiangsu to Turkestan, come reports of freebooters who defy the authorities. There is no local police to cope with the outlaws, and the army is not at present a dependable branch of the administration. The American missionaries who fled from their homes in the interior of Fukien province remain at Foochow', unable to return because no protection can be assured them by the government. U. S. Against Pseudo-Emperor. The American consulate at Foochow and the legation in Peking have been trying in vain for months to get the government to take vigorous action against Hwang Liang, an outlaw who proclaimed himself sixteeenth emperor of the Ming dynasty. The French legation has received news of the burning of a Catholic mission church during the plundering and burning of a town in southern Honan, not far from Tsaoyang, where the American and Norwegian missionaries were made priscnors’in September. The f. i.vc-nmcat has sent troops in large numbers to fight “White Wolf,’’ the brigand chief who is terrorizing that section of the country, but according to the report of an American consul, the soldiers are not making serious efforts. ' ’ - 2,000 Brigands Impress Villagers. A missionary in a Honan city describes how a band 2,000 strong impressed villagers to carry fuel up to the gate of a town barred against them so that they might enter and loot the place. The villagers were literally between two fires, for when they approached the gate they were shot at from the walls by the, soldiers garrisoning the town, and if ,they refused to advance tbe brigands shot them. A consular report from Shensi says t'bat province is practically administered by outlaws. The governor adheres to the central government only because it is good policy for him to .describe himself as loyal. Once poor, - he has amassed a large fortune and a numerous harem. SPENCER HAS MORE TO TELL Convicted Murderer Intimates Others Are Implicated in Killing < Tango Teacher. / \ Wheaton. 111., Nov. 17.—Henry Spencer, convicted slayar of Mildred Rexroat, intimated that he might give to the world a more complete story of the murder before his trip to the gallows. He gave the impression that another was implicated. Spencer’s attorney, Anton Zeman, announced plans to seek a new trial on the ground that he had learned of additional evidence. He says Mrs. Rexroat had a third husband who might be able to throw light on the crime. Spencer requested the Dupage county sheriff, A. A. Kuhn, to allow him to help build the scaffold. The plea was <denied. Arguments for a new trial will be heard by Judge Shisser next Friday. Resigns Official Position. New Orleans, La.. Nov. 17. —Mrs. M. Cantrell, of Louisville, resigned as a delegate to tile United Daughters of the Confederacy convention here. Her resignation followed the tabling of a resolution which she had offered permitting a suffrage orator to address the convention. Playing Indian Costs Girl’s Life. Atlantic City, Nov. 17. —Lena Hewitt, seven years old, died of injuries received when she was the “captive” in a game of “Indian." Her five-year-old brother (puehed a match to her dress. Messina Is Rocked. Messina, Italy, Nov. 17. —A strong earthquake occurred here about 2 o’clock yesterday and was reported forty minutes later. The disturbances caused considerable alarm. Takes Lives of Two Boys. Johnstown, Pa., Nov. 17. —Charged with ..having garroted her two children. boys, aged 2 and 3 years respectively, and then attempting to hang herself, Mrs. Allelia Seabolt Banko, aged 26, of Portage, was lodged in the county jail at Ebensburg. National Fox Hunt Commences. Lagrange, Ky., Nov. 17.—This town was crowded last night with fox hunters arriving for the’start of the national association hunt which will begin today. • Hermits Die In Fire. Whitman, Mass., Nov. 17.—Two hermits, George Frye, 57, and his brother Stephen, 10 years older, were burned to death in their shack in the woods near here. Another woods dweller yesterday discovered the ashes in which were charred bodies.

SPENCER GUILTY; GIVEN HIS WISH Jury Returns Verdict of Murder in First Degree. CURSES JURORS AND JUDGE Slayer of Chicago Tango Teacher Loses His Nerve When Attempt at Insanity Fails to Impress Jury. Wheaton, 111., Nov. 17.—Henry Spencer was found guilty Friday at Wheaton of the murder of Mrs. Mildred Alli-son-Rexroat on the night of September 26 at Wayne, Hl. The jury fixed his penalty at death on the gallows. Astonished that the "demand” he had voiced so loudly during the trial had been granted, and that his secret hop© of a verdict of insanity had slipped away, the slayer dropped his air of bravado and boastfulness. His face turned a yellowish green and his lower jaw dropped. In a sudden frenzy he thrashed around, trying to free himself from the handcuff by which he was bound to John Hesterman, a deputy sheriff. He cursed th© court, the jurors and State’s Attorney Hadley. He called the trial a perversion of justice and reviled anew all who had a part in it. When he passed the jury box on his way back to his cell he told the jurors he would like the “pleasure” of beating them to death with the hammer which he said he had used in killing many of the 23 persons he claimed to have murdered. Sheriff Kuhn took the spectacles from the murderer’s face and Spencer leaped upon him to recover them. Guards held him while he was searched again, and even a soft lead pencil was taken from his cell. The sheriff will have guards outside Spencer’s cell door until he is hangec. and will spring the trap himself, he announced. State’s Attorney Hadley, after thanking the jurors, said he would get them tickets admitting them to see the execution if they desired and Sheriff Kuhn was willing. The remark brought renewed shrieks of rage from Spencer. Contrasted with this behavior was his actions when the jurors filed out of the courtroom. “Good-by, boneheads; don’t be afraid to hang me,” he had called to them. At 5:35 the first ballot was taken. All voted for conviction, but one juror favored fixing the punishment at life imprisonment on Lie ground that Spencer was insane. The second ballot was taken 47 minutes later. All of the 12 voted for conviction of murder in the first degree and agreed to send the defendant to the gallows. Mildred Allison Rexroat, or Mildred Allison, as she was known to habitues of dance halls in Chicago, was killed on September 26, in a lonely spot along the Elgin, Joliet Eastern railroad tracks, near Wayne, 111. Her body was placed on the tracks and was run over by a freight train. Robert Rohel, the engineer, found the body and notified the authorities. It was believed at first that the death had been accidental. Later a postmortem revealed a bullet wound in the head. Detectives, tracing a diamond ring that had been taken from Mrs. Rexroat’s finger, arrested Henry C. Spencer on October 5, at 2512 South Michigan avenue. He tried to sell the ring to Mrs. Walter Patterson. FIND FUNK ACCUSER GUILTY, Lawyer Donahue Convicted of Conspiracy and Fined $2,000 by Jury. Chicago, Nov. 14.—Attorney D. Donahoe of this city, who brought a $25,000 alienation suit against Clarence •S. Funk in the name of John C. Henning, was found guilty of conspiracy to defame Mr. Funk by a jury in Judge Pam’s court Wednesday. He escaped a prison term, being sentenced to pay a $2,000 fine, the maximum the jury could order collected. Isaac Stiefel, private detective, who had worked up part of the case against Mr. Funk, was found not guilty of the same charge on which Donahoe was convicted. F “L” KILLS RIDER T. H. BURNS. Famous Jockey Jumps or Falls Beneath Brooklyn Car. New York, Nov. 17. —T. H. (Tommy) Burns, internationally famous as a jockey, either jumped or fell beneath an elevated train in Brooklyn here and was ground to pieces. No one witnessed tlie tragedy. Tommy Burns was one of the world’s leading jockeys and was said to be wealthy. He rode for such owners as W. C. Whitney, William C. Daly and several years ago carried the colors of the German emperor, whose entries raced under the name of Count Lehndorf. He was married and had two children. * McManlgal Flees From United States. Detroit, Mich., Nov. 15. —Ortie McManigal, confessed dynamiter, is bound for Europe, fleeing for his life. He will take passage from Montreal in a few days. It is not likely that he will return to America. James H. Hyde to Wed Countess. Paris, Nov. 15.—James Hazen Hyde,' son of the founder of the Equitable Life Assurance society, announced his engagement to Countess Louise de Gontaut-Biron, formerly Martha Lelshman. Few Lifeboats; Ship Fined. Washington, Nov. 14.—Determined to enforce laws relative to safety appliances, the department of commerce approved a fine of SI,OOO against the Spanish steamer Montevideo for not carrying sufficient lifeboats. Senate's Gift to Jessie Wilson. Washington, Nov. 14. —A sliver service will be the wedding gift from senators to Miss Jessie Wilson, according to an announcement by Senator Martine, who is receiving voluntary ■ubscriptions from his colleagues.

REV. DR. W. H. LEAVELL J Dr. Leavell of Carrollton, Miss., is the new American minister to Guatemala, succeeding Reynolds Hitt. He is a son-in-law of former Senator George of Mississippi and is a Presbyterian clergyman. TWELVE PEOPLE KILLED IN BIG TRAIN WRECK Hundred Others Injured When Cars on Southern Road Plunge Down Embankment. Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 15. —Twelve bodies were recovered Thursday from the wreckage of passenger train No. 12 of the Central of Georgia railroad four miles east of Clayton, Ala. One hundred persons were injured. The train, which consisted of five cars crowded with excursionists, was en route from Ozark, Ala., to Eufaula, where a fair is being held. Among those who escaped with minor injuries was Jefferson D. Clayton, a wealthy Alabaman and brother of Congressman Henry D. Clayton of this state. A broken rail is said to have caused the accident. As the crowded excursion train rounded a curve the three cars at the rear, literally packed with passengers, suddenly left the track and breaking away from the others, rolled down the steep embankment. Wooster, 0., Nov. 15. —East-bound Pennsylvania passenger train No. 52 was derailed two miles west of Wooster and three persons were killed. Half a dozen were quite seriously injured and as many more slightly hurt. One of the dead men was Arthur Kreakie of Shreve, a Pennsylvania lineman, who was a passenger on the train. Another was a horseman taking a horse through in an express car. The third was a brakeman. C. M. Crease of Allegheny, engineer, suffered serious burns and may die. While the panic-stricken passengers were fighting their way out of the train a freight thundered by, killing two of the three who lost their lives, and injuring several others. Joliet, 111., Nov. 15.—John Duggan, engineer, was slightly injured when he stuck to his post as Santa Fe train No. 6 went through an open switch and the engine and baggage car piled up on one of Joliet’s principal streets 30 feet below. There were no other injuries. The train was a fast train from Denver. The wreck was caused by signa] engineers leaving a side-track switch open. The train was running at 40 miles an hour. BROKER AND DIVORCEE WED. Kin of Calhoun and Adams Married Secretly. Atlanta, Ga., Nov. 17. —Friends of John C. Calhoun, a prominent New' York cotton broklr, and Mrs. Mary Martin Irwin of Jacksonville, Fla., were surprised to learn that the couple were married at the Georgian Terrace hotel. Mr. Calhoun is a greatgrandson of the famous John C. Calhoun and the bride is a grand-niece of President Adams, and a divorcee. LONE MAN HOLDS UP TRAIN. Travelers on Southern Pacific Relieved of' Valuables by Robber. San Francisco, Nov. 17. —Five passengers on train No. 3 of the Southern Pacific from Chicago were robbed of about SI,OOO in money and jewelry when the train was near Richmond, across the bay from this city. Near Oakland the robber forced the conductor to stop the train, and jumped ofL Rewards for Sea Rescuers. Berlin, Germany, Nov. 17.—A premium of $2,000 was awarded by the German Life Saving eoclety to the lifeboat crews of three liners in recognition of their work during the rescue of the passengers of the Volturno. T\wo Hurt In Train Wreck. Hazelhurst, Ga., Nov. 17.—The Palm Limited on the Southern railway ran into a ditch here, demolishing an engine and damaging a local passenger train. Engineer Pair and Fireman Prosaley were injured. N. Y. Village Menaced by Fire. Sandwich, N. Y.» Nov. 14. —The town hall and several stores were burned early today in a fire which threatened the entire village. Help was summoned from Ashland, Laconia and Meredith. Driven to Death by Pupils. New York, Nov. 15. —Anna Burnett, school-teacher, committed suicide by jumping from the roof of a six-story apartment house. It was said she was worried by the antics of her scholars. Mies Burnett was only twenty-four.

WILSON REJECTS HUERTA’S APPEAL Lind Refuses to Reopen Negotiations With Dictator. CARRANZA AGAIN DEFIANT Reported That Provisional President Is Weakening—O’Shaughnessy Does Not Believe Intervention Will Be Necessary. Washington, Nov. 17.—Instructions O’Shauhnessy Friday indicating to | him the extent to which the United i States government will go in reopen- I ing the negotiations with those coun- i selors of provisional President Huerta who earlier in the day sought to renew the parleys. The Washington government will not assume negotiations until assurances can be given of provisional Huerta’s intention to resign. Efforts by counselors of Huerta to induce John Lind at Vera Cruz to reopen the entire subject has. not been successful, it was reported, Mr. Lind refused to go back to Mexico City unless some definite promises were forthcoming from Huerta. The latest news from Mexico City, aside from that was that Huerta’s counselors had failed to obtain any pledge from him. Chairman Bacon of the foreign relations committee, discussing dispatches saying that Huerta’s counselors were seeking to reopen the negotiations, declared the only condition on which that could be done would be the complete surrender of Huerta to the American demands. Administration officials continued to be optimistic over the support they were getting from the great powers abroad, but did not discuss the Mexican situation beyond indicating again that Huerta’s elimination was inevitable. City of Mexico, Nov. 17. —“I do not believe that intervention by the United States will be necessary,” said Nelson O’Shaughnessy. The American charge d’affaires added: "There is no immediate danger to Americans.” Wild reports, however, were in circulation. One was that certain banks would close within three days and that the government of Huerta was bankrupt. Another said that after convening the newly elected congress would rush through a measure to wring additional revenue from the people. The ever-present rumor that Huerta was preparing his own elimination was voiced on all sides, but the presisdent’s counselors seeking to reopen negotiations with the United States admitted they could offer no definite pledge that he would quit. Against the United States’ demand that the new congress be not allowed to meet Huerta’s .aids suggested that it be'permitted to organize under definite assurances as to its legislation so that Huerta might have a body to which to send his resignation if he decided to quit. Meantime Sir Lionel Carden, the British minister, conveyed to Huerta an intimation that the United States was earnest in its intentions and told the president that the British government was disposed to back the United States morally. GIFTS JAM WHITE HOUSE. Presents From Diplomatic and Other Sources Reach Miss Wilson Washington, Nov. 15. —More gifts for Miss Jessie Woodrow Wilson, a number of them presents from members of the diplomatic corps, are arriving in Washington. The senate committee will make its selection of the silver service to be presented today. The French ambassador, M. Jusserand, dean of the diplomatic corps, presented Miss Roosevelt with some priceless tapestries, in addition to the gift sent her by the French government. It is expected he will adhere to the precedent he established in Miss Roosevelt’s case and will even duplicate the gift of select tapestries for Miss Wilson. t From the representative of Italy Miss Wilson will receive four massive silver candlesticks. A pair of silver vases will be given by the German ambassador and Countess von Bernstortf. The Russian ambassador and Madame Bakhinatiff will give the bride a jeweled umbrella handle. RAIL MEN QUIT IN SOUTH. 2,500 Employes of Southern Pacific on Strike. New Orleans, Nov. 15. —About 2,500 employes of tie Southern Pacific railroad on the division lying between El Paeo and New Orleans went on a strike this evening, according to the terms of their ultimatum to the road. The men went out at seven o’clock last night. U. S. Army Aviator Killed. Washington, Nov. 17. —Second Lieutenant C. Perry Rich of the. Philippine scout, killed in the aeroplane accident in the Philippines, was a native of Indiana, born January 21, 1883. He enlisted as a private. Mistaken for Deer; Killed. Bangor, Me., Nov. 17. —Word was received here of the fatal shooting of Alonzo Bacon, a federal fish hatchery employe in Springfield. According to the report. Bacon was mistaken for a deer. Wreck Victims at Cleveland. Cleveland, 0., Nov. 15.—Sixteen men and two women of the crew of the steamer L. C. Waldo of Detroit, wrecked last Friday morning on Gull Rock reef, in Lake Superior, reached Cleveland. » Woman Slayer Appeals to Miss Wilson. Washington, Nov. 15. —Mrs. Bessie Wakefield, the Connecticut murderess, who is under sentence of death for the slaying of her husband, appealed to Miss Jessie Wilson, who is to be the thirteenth White House bride.

MRS. SARAH H. SORON I . Mrs. Sarah Herring Soron, a woman lawyer of Arizona, is in Washington appearing as the sole counsel of a mining corporation in a suit before the United States Supreme court. This is not the first time that a woman lawyer has appeared before that tribunal, but usually they are only associate counsel. Her argument is said to be the best ever presented to the court by a woman. The decision of the Arizona supreme court was in her favor. THIRTY MEN DIE ON ’STEAMER H. B. SMITH Big Lake Freighter Is Missing—Victims of Tornado on Lake May Reach Total of 300. Marquette, Mich., Nov. 15. —Thirty lives were lost and another great loss was added to the list caused by the recent lake storms, when the Henry B. Smith, carrying 10,000 tons of ore, was lost off Keweenaw Point on Lake Superior. The Hawgood Transportation company of Cleveland, owners of the ship, telegraphed Thursday for information concerning the Smith’s whereabouts, stating that although five days overdue the ship has failed to reach the Soo. Port Huron, Mich., Nov. 15. —Each hour adds to the total of disasters which occurred on Lake Huron during last Sunday’s storm and the end is not in sight. Bodies of sailors of five and perhaps six vessels were found on the shore of the lake. Wreckage from two other boats, still missing, was cast up by the waves, and no trace had been obtained of two vessels or threir crews, totaling more than forty men. Estimates of the number of lives lost in the storm, declared to have been the worst known on the lakes, range from 150 to 3QO. Cleveland, 0., Nov. 13. —This city hopes for a speedy cessation of the difficulties that have beset it since the worst snowstorm in its history struck the city Sunday night, when an average of 24 inches of snow fell. Fair and warmer weather was predicted Tuesday. The total number of dead was increased to five, when John Richmond, aged fifty-eight, was crushed to death when the roof of his house collapsed beneath the weight of slow, and William Gombert died in a snowdrift. WIFE TAKES DOG TO BED. Man Tells Judge He Delivered Ultimatum: “Dog or Me”—Dog Won. Boston, Nov. 17. —“It was a dog that came betwen us,” said Alvah E. Cook of Lynn, in explaining to Judge Edward B. O’Brien the charge of nonsupport that had been preferred against him by his wife. “You see, judge, it was likfe this,” Mr. Cook said. “Mrs. Cook has a dog. The wife used to take him to bed w ith her. If I moved about in the night he would bite me. Also, he had fleas. “I got tired of it and kicked. It was no use, the wife said; the dog always had gone to bed with her and always would. Finally I couldn’t stand it any longer, and one night I said either the dog would have to go or I would. She said she preferred the dog, so I left.” Cook said he would file suit for divorce. RILEY DAY AT CINCINNATI O. Hoosier Poet Greeted by 3,f00 School Children. Cincinnati, 0., Nov. 17. —This city paid its respects to the Indiana poet, James Whitcomb Riley. In response to a special invitation from all the civic and industrial btAlies of Cincinnati, Mr. Riley came here, lunched with 200 business men, inspected the chamber of commerce, and was warmly greeted at the University of Cincinnati. Three thousand five hundred school children greeted the poet in Music hall. Weds Week After Decree. New Orleans, La., Nov. 17. —Mrs. Peter Cooke, from whom Commodore Cooke obtained a divorce last week, was married here to John Landry, her companion on the yacht cruise and auto ride which led to Cooke’s suit. Beilis Appeal Is Ordered. • Kiev, Russia, Nov. 17.—The Russian government has ordered an appeal in the case of Mendel Beilis, the Jew, who was acquitted on Monday of the murder of Andrew Yuehinsky, a Christian boy, for ritual purposes. Bubonic Plague In California. Sacramento, Cal., Nov. 14. —The California state board of health has ordered Dr. Wilbur A. Sawyer to Kennett to investigate a report that two persons there were afflicted with bubonic plague. Bryan’s Horae Falls on Asphalt. Washington, Nov. 14.—Secretary of State Bryan had a narrow escape when his horse fell to its knees on the wet asphalt Javement. The secretary managed to keep from falling, but discontinued his ride.

INTERNATIONAL SIINWSOIOOI Lesson - (By H. O. SELLERS, Director of Evening Department, The Moody Bible Institute, Chicago.) LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 23 JOSHUA THE NEW LEADER. LESSON TEXT—Joshua 1:1-9. i GOLDEN TEXT—"Be strong and of I good courage.” Joshua 1:9. "Now it came to pass" (v. 1). Things do not happen in the kingdom of God, they “come to pass.” This world, nations, families or individuals were not set in motion by a creator who lias gone off neglectful of his creatures, nor has he left them to blind fate or inflexible law. Attention is also drawn to the time, "after the death of Moses.” The call was clear and unquestioned, for the Lord "spake.” Our highest responsibility is to that call which comes from the highest source of authority. This call came in the time of great need, Israel is without a leader. Then follow the first words of Jehovah to tiiis newly chosen leader (v. 2) and which constitute his charge, “Moses my servant is dead, now, thereTSrre arise." This suggests a prayerful attitude on the part of Joshua, but in no way is it to be construed that Moses was a hindrance to this forward march of the people of God. Rather, that Moses’ work was completed and on the basis of his work an advance was to be made. Moses brought Israel under a government of God, he nationalized Israel. Joshua is called to conquest. Verse three reveals the scope and the assurance of success in this new i era, and notice, it is based upon God’s I word, “as I said unto Moses.” This charge is two-fold, God’s covenant on the one hand, and the conditions or terms of the agreement on the other hand. Verse four tells of the boundaries of this new kingdom. It is sad to remember that several hundred years elapsed before the time when under David, Israel approximated these borders With them in this advance was to be Jehovah’s presence even as he had accompanied Moses. Obedience to Law. The conditions laid upon Joshua were: (1) Confidence due to this promise of the presence of Jehovah (v. 5). The personal pronoun “I” is used seven times in these nine verses as though God would make confidence doubly assured. But confidence alone was not enough, hence the necessity of “courage”’ (v. 6). Strength is due to coniktence and quietness, Isa. 30: 15, but mirage is the active principle which is the evidence of our strength and counige. Conquest was not alone conditiofied upon courage (v. 6), but also upon the sure foundation of the J word and oath of Jehovah. But strength and courage are maintained by obedience to law whether it be physical, civil or spiritual, hence the words of verse 7, the possession of this land depended upon absolute unflinching, invariable adherence and observance of the law, “which Moses my servant commanded.” There is in these last words the suggestion that Moses had best served and led Israel because he was the close personal servant of Jehovah. This thought must undoubtedly have remained a vivid and potent factor governing the life of Joshua in the conduct of his newly appointed office. Confidence and Authority. But Jehovah never leaves his own (v. 5), Matt. 28:20, nor does he leave man to blind fate or fortuitous circumstances. Therefore we read in verse 8 the counsel of Jehovah as to the method whereby Joshua and Israel may “prosper” (v. 7) or according to the margin “do wisely,” viz., they shall meditate upon the books of the law. This verse is enough for the entire class session. The leader, be he preacher or teacher, who has any doubt about the word of God, or stands dumb before the empty tomb had better seek a new vocation for he is the apostle of a dying, disintegrating class or church and a decadent faith. The origin of man, the mystery of life, the destiny of the soul, demands the voice of confidence and authority not of uncertainty and doubt. True prosperity and wisdom are conditioned upon our taking the word of God as the man of our counsel, the light of our path, our daily meditation. The definite result of such a course is set before Joshua, and in addition he was promised the companionship (v. 9) of Jehovah every step of the way. It is interesting in this connection to remember that Joshua was associated with Moses in the first experience of war in the history of this young nation. Conclusion. The greatest lesson before us at this time is that of continuity of the purposes of God. As great and important as Moses has been during his 40 years of leadership, yet he was not necessary. * The instrument of divine deliverance, direction and discipline, yea, the voice of God to Israel, the receiver of their complaints and of their confessions, yet now he has been removed. What a tremendous blank he must have left. Yet Israel is to go forward, there is to be no halting in its progress. God had been training men for 40 years, one of whose faith failed not at the sight of the giants, one who had fellowship with the old and is now to face the new. We recall the words of John Wesley, Inscribed upon his memorial tablet in Westminster abbey, “God buries his workmen, but carries on his work.” Each individual in the long suecession of leaders has his appointed task, and as he is loyal completes that task thereby preparing the way for a new leader. The abiding principles that condition each man’s success are loyalty to the past, and Implicit, obedient following of God along the new pathway; as Joshua said, “Ye have not passed this way before"

I How Good I f Refines Us I | —- | £ Dy REV. JAMES M. GRAY. D. D. £ De*n of Moccy Dibit liuutute CLc»«o <•> I TEXT- He "-liali sit as a refiner and purifier of silver. —Malachi 2:3.

The words refer primarily to God s future dealings with the nation of Israel, when he will come again in the person of his son, to purge them with judgments, and restore them to fellowship with himself in the blessings of Millenial age. But they may be employed profitably in the experience of every individu-

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al Christian believer in the present time. God is refining and purifying every one of us who is truly his through faith in his dear son; and the close of the old year and the opening of a new one, is a good time to consider some of the ways in which be does it. 1. He refines us by the example of that son. He sets him before us in his word as one who was always wellpleasing in his sight. Obedient to his earthly parents, faithful as a workman at his bench, content in poverty and obscurity, meek and lowly in heart, kind and tender to his fellowmen, reviled, but reviling not again, trustful, hopeful, lovipg, holy always and without sin—as we gaze upon him in his inspired portraiture in the gospels, how we long to be like him, if we posses his spirit at all, what a refining and purifying power there is in the story of his life! 2. He refines us by his providences. How wisely, how patiently, and how lovingly God deals with us every one, and how universally is it true as David said, that his “gentleness” makes us great (2 Samuel 22:36). "Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth’’ (Heb. 12:6), but think what this chastening has meant to all who have served him —Jacob, Moses, David, Daniel, Paul! But these are joyous providences as well as grievous ones, and they are refining and purifying toe. It was the great draught of fishes which Peter did not expect, that caused him to cry out: “Depart from me, for 1 am a sinful man, Oh, Lord” (Luke 5:8). What do you know of this experience? Can you look back over the past year, and say the goodness of God leadeth me to repentence? (Romans 2:4). 3. He refines us by his word. We recall the testimony of the psalmist, “Thy word have 1 hid in my heart, that 1 might not sin (Psalm 119:11). The' ijjrcessory prayer of Christ for his disciples, “Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.” (John 17:17). The teaching of Paul to the Romans, where he says (6:17, 18) “God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but yet have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin. ye became the servants of righteousness." Where could we fine a clearer statement of the refining power of the word of God? First, by nature, we were servants of sin. Then, we heard the word of God, "the form of < octrine," as Paul calls it, the message of the gospel. This we obeyed, we believed in him of whom it spake, and we began to inquire about his will and to seek to do it. Immediately thereupon, and in so far, we became free from sin. No longer did it continue to hold the old power over us, but instead we became "servants of righteousness." Like our holy exemplar, we c<auld-say, "1 delight to do thy will, oh, Gcd!" 4. He refines us by his spirit. The holy spirit is a divine person, the same as the father and the son, and he dwells within every true believer in Jesus Christ. “If any man have not the spirit of Christ; he is none of his” (Romans 8.9). His office work in the believer is to sanctify him, to lead and guide him into al! tputh, and to take the things of Christ and show them unto him (John 16:13, 14). Os course, this means that he uses the Bible, the word of God, and hence the necessity that in all our reading and study of that word, we be continually in prayer for the spirit’s aid. But, oh, what wonders he works in such a case! “Be not deceived”; says Paul to the Christians at Cornlth, "neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God” (1 Cor. 6:9-11). What a testimony, and yet how often has it been repeated in the history of the saints from that day until this! Verily, God is a refiner and a purifier. Let us trust him. Let us obey his word. Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ, and “walk even as he walked." Let us yield ourselves to his spirit, that- he may be glorified in us. Let the year that is just ahead of us, if we live, and if the Lord tarries, be one in which “Our gold shall shine out with a richer glow. As it mirrors a Form above. Who bends o’er.the fire, unseen by us. With a look of ineffable love." No Melancholy Religion. Family prayers should be cheerful, but not flippant and commonplace. There should be a distinct reverential atmosphere, but never gloom. Gloominess is not even the sixteenth cousin to religion. Why may not reverence smile? It does smile a hundred times, where it holds its breath and looks longfaced once. The religion that makes life such a tremendously, unsmilably, overpoweringly serious thing, very long at a tlaM verges on the madhouse. _