care"I do not care for you, my lord."
"I do not care for you, my lord."
"I do not care for you, my lord."
So Caleb went back to his lonely castle and she to her cottage in the wood, but he did not despair. He could not believe that he was to take her refusal seriously, so the next day he sent her many valuable presents,but when she returned them all he knew she was in earnest.
That evening, as he sat by his solitary fireside brooding over his disappointment, he recalled the girl's words, and then he realised that he was pining for something that money was powerless to give him. He looked at the presents she had rejected, and, at last, he understood the limit of wealth.
In his loneliness and sorrow his thoughts recurred to his aged mother. He felt he had neglected her, and determined to pay her an unexpected visit. So early the next morning he called for his horse and rode quickly away.
besideSitting by his mother's bedside.
Sitting by his mother's bedside.
Sitting by his mother's bedside.
But when he reached the little cottage he thought it was deserted. The garden was overgrown, the gate flapped uneasily on its broken hinges, and the hens scratched among the flowers. He drove them out, and then he opened the door and peeped inside. His mother lay upon her bed; her face was very thin, and her breath came in quick, short gasps, and she seemed very ill.
"Mother, what has happened?" Caleb asked, as he sat by her bedside and gently stroked her hand. "Did you never receive the money I sent to you and Volta?" he added, as he looked in vain for the pretty little orphan.
"The gold your servant brought us stands untouched on the mantelpiece," explained the old woman proudly. "It was useless to me. I only needed news of you, my dear boy. I sent Volta to watch over you, for I hoped she would be able to influence you, but now that you have returned I am sure she will hasten back. Did you not see her?"
Then Caleb realised who the beautiful maiden had been. It was his little playfellow, but his wealth had made him forget his past life so completely that he had not recognised her. He understood everything now. His gold could not buy health for his mother, nor could he use it to win Volta's love. He longed to begin his old life over again, so he rose to his feet and walked to the door.
"Mother, dear," he said, "I am tired of my wealth. I am going to the stream to throw back my purse. It has been a curse to me."
When he drew near the water, he pulled the shabby little case out of his pocket and opened it curiously. All had happened as the frog prophesied. The purse was empty now, for he had learnt his lesson thoroughly. As he threw it into the stream he saw a little frog dive hurriedly down after it, and, while he watched, all his fine clothes slipped away from him and he was once more clad in his peasant's rags.
He wanted to see his beautiful maiden again, and, as he opened the cottage door, he was delighted to find her sitting by his mother's bedside.
"Volta," he said as he approached her, "I am poor now. Will you be my wife, although I have neither a fine castle nor jewels to offer you?"
She smiled sweetly at him as she replied shyly, "Your wealth was nothing to me, Caleb. When I refused to marry you, it was because I felt you did not care for me. I was afraid, too, of your grandeur. I know I should not have been a suitable bride for you, but now all is changed."
Very soon they were married, and the young couple settled down to live in the cottage with Caleb's mother. The old woman was completely contented with the love her son and daughter-in-law bestowed upon her. And later on, in the winter evenings, everybody would gather round the fire, and Caleb would take his children upon his knees as he related the strange things he used to do while he was the possessor of the wonderful purse.
Illustrated from Photographs.]
arts
We who live in the present generation of this best of all possible worlds, as we may well deem it, considering that we have no experience of any other, are apt to look back on those who preceded us as benighted beings who walked by very dim lights, had few artistic perceptions, and only the most humdrum of occupations. Girls who were born before Waterloo were not very much educated, and not at all emancipated, and when we think of them we are apt to wonder how their lives dragged on without railways, without gas, without circulating libraries, magazines, or tennis.
waxWAX FLOWERS (1853).
WAX FLOWERS (1853).
WAX FLOWERS (1853).
On the whole, however, these old-fashioned lasses had no time to be dull. One whose brain was as bright as ever when Queen Victoria celebrated her first Jubilee in 1887 was questioned by a girl of the period as to her occupations when in her teens and afterwards. "My dear," she said, "there were always babies in our old house at home, and your father was the youngest of them. I had the baby clothes to make, and they wore out so fast! When I was tired of plain hemming and sewing, I used to embroider the cap crowns or quill up the clean cap borders." And this woman's mind was not in the least dwarfed or stunted by much needlework; she lived and travelled a good deal on the Continent afterwards, and kept well abreast of the literature of her day to the very end.
Fine needlework may certainly be counted among the vanished arts, for our muslin embroidery is now Swiss, and made by machine, and our delicate stitchery accomplished by a "Singer" or a "Willcox and Gibbs'." No longer, like the Martineaus of Norwich and their contemporaries, do we make the fine linen shirts of our fathers and brothers; and no longer, happily, are middle-class girls obliged to laboriously copy the new music and songs that their wealthier relatives and friends have purchased. That is a distinct change for the better.
A kind of work that late in the last and early in this century was thought very highly of, and occupied a good deal of time, was called filigree. A Christmas present for Grandmammaor for Mamma's birthday might be a tea-caddy or a workbox, the frame of which was produced by the cabinetmaker in rosewood or mahogany and lined with tinfoil, or lead, or satin paper, as the case might be. Rims of polished wood were seen at the corners, and received the lock and hinges, but the surface was sunk and had to be filled in with tiny rolls of gilt-edged paper made in long lengths for the purpose. These rolls were closely packed together, and produced an appearance of fine gilt tracery, as seen in the illustration below. Unless very roughly treated, or kept in a palpably damp place, they did not come out of position. In the absence of all Oriental goods, which were never seen in those days unless in families connected with the East India Company, they were considered handsome, and no one not in the secret could have guessed how the effect was obtained.
filigreeFILIGREE WORK (1795).
FILIGREE WORK (1795).
FILIGREE WORK (1795).
Here and there in great houses a few fine lacquered or Chinese cabinets might be seen, principally brought home as loot, for they were most plentiful in military and naval families. They were much admired and very highly esteemed, and some ingenious individual hit on a mode of making very passable imitations of them in a small way; and it was not entirely a feminine industry, but one in which the sterner sex could find indoor occupation during wet weather and long evenings without loss of dignity. Small tables and the doors of corner cupboards were frequently treated in this manner, especially the latter, which were seldom looked at very closely and did not get much handled. The work was called imitation lacquer, and the materials were collected during summer and autumn.
Very thin leaves were selected, such as the crimson foliage of the Herb Robert when it grows in stony places, silver-weed, which is to be found in hilly districts such as Derbyshire and the Lake Country, and the leaves of the sloe or blackthorn, which in late autumn turn yellowish and assume curiousfadegreen tints. They were most carefully and smoothly dried between sheets of blotting-paper under heavy weights or in the thick volumes of bound-up music then to be found in every house, and when quite dry theywere so thin that the ordinary finger might be passed over them without feeling an inequality of surface. The piece of wood—table top, cupboard door, or what not—intended to be ornamented was made perfectly smooth, and the delicate leaves were fixed on it as taste dictated with clean, strong gum. If any stalks were required to connect leaves, they were painted in; and when this was done, well pressed, and quite dry, all the interstices were filled up by means of a small camel's-hair brush with a black or dark brown varnish, probably shellac. Another coat very often had to be put on, and when all was perfectly smooth and flat two or three coats were laid all over by way of finish, and when perfectly dry and hard the article looked remarkably well.
woolA SAMPLE OF BERLIN WOOL WORK.
A SAMPLE OF BERLIN WOOL WORK.
A SAMPLE OF BERLIN WOOL WORK.
Berlin wool work on canvas, either in raised cross or tent stitch, was a great resource to ladies, and largely used for furnishing purposes. Of course, it was the latter-day equivalent of the old tapestry, and tent stitch was usually worked in frames, while really good workers could accomplish cross stitch in their hands without drawing up or cockling. Figure-pieces were often framed and hung as pictures, and fearful and wonderful they generally were. Many of the floral wreaths, however, were really artistic, especially those that depicted carnations, tulips, and poppies. Some designs were absurdly impossible, and a writer in the 'forties describes them as peacocks or birds of Paradise resting on their talons on the petals of passion-flowers. Shading was a matter of taste—good, bad, and indifferent.
The bride of that day generally took many monuments of her own and her family's industry to her new home in the shape of wool-worked cushions, chair seats, screens, and sometimes borders to table covers and curtains. Preparing them was a great pleasure, and she was very proud of them when done. They were quite in the taste of the day, and none of us in such matters lives twenty years before our time.
Another kind of decorative furnishing very highly prized was the leather work which made such handsome frames for mirrors and was also much used for brackets, and those dark articles formed a very welcome relief to the amount of gilding in vogue during the days of the Third Empire in France, which was copied almostad nauseamin England. Theyentailed an amount of attention from duster and feather brush that would drive modern mistresses and maids crazy; but that is a detail.
tentTENT-STITCH FIGURE PICTURE (1797).(Christ and the Woman of Samaria.)
TENT-STITCH FIGURE PICTURE (1797).(Christ and the Woman of Samaria.)
TENT-STITCH FIGURE PICTURE (1797).
(Christ and the Woman of Samaria.)
The modelling and cutting of leaves, flowers, and berries in leather was really hard work, and required hands endowed with a good deal of muscular strength. The skilled worker was always a student of nature, and found models in some of her loveliest forms. Vine leaves and tendrils, with or without bunches of grapes, oak leaves and acorns, convolvulus blossoms and leaves (see illustration at head of article), passion-flowers and roses, were great favourites. The leather used was tanned sheepskin and cowhide, technically known as basil and skiver; the tools were few, being principally a sharp strong pair of scissors, a stout penknife, a stiletto and a veiner. The best work was often accomplished with the fewest tools, for it is very rarely that the craftsman or artist who can afford to buy every possible accessory turns out anything worth looking at. A large board or old deal table, a basin of water, sponge, wire, tacks, hammer, stain, glue, and varnish, were all needed, and the work was not quite of a kind for the family circle, as it was best pursued in a room with no carpet to spoil, and where no one could be disturbed by the tap-tapping of the hammer. Very good work may be seen from time to time at the various "Arts and Crafts" exhibitions, and leather embossing is a good deal used. Professor Herkomer has some wonderful embossed leather on the dining-room chairs in his House Beautiful at Bushey, and it was all done by a lady. Work in leather cannot therefore be classed altogether among the lost arts; it is being modified, and may some day be revived in all its glory by women who have plenty of leisure and love to have something to show for their handiwork. It must not be forgotten that even in an age that has witnessed such a revival of learning as this there are still girls of active temperament who are neither students nor great readers.
flowersTENT-STITCH FLOWER PICTURE (1825).
TENT-STITCH FLOWER PICTURE (1825).
TENT-STITCH FLOWER PICTURE (1825).
Shell work was accomplished by sticking small shells, chiefly the halves oflittle pink or white bivalves on to a coloured background with very strong glue. A shallow box was the favourite article, and it was then glazed and used as an ornament much as cases of stuffed birds are. How long it lasted is proved by the specimen photographed, which was worked in 1805.
shellworkSHELL WORK (1805).
SHELL WORK (1805).
SHELL WORK (1805).
The wealth of flowers in the present day is quite a modern feature of luxury. Even twenty years ago, except in summer, they were the prerogatives of the wealthy who had gardeners and greenhouses and plenty of artificial heat. Lovers of flowers consequently had wax models of them, and very beautiful they were when natural, though unfortunately they had to be covered with glass shades. The lady who could make them really well was very much thought of, and it was an occupation that could be pursued at any time, except in severely cold weather and a hard frost. The Pantheon in Oxford Street was the great place for obtaining the sheets of wax, shaved off a block with a sharp plane, which was a delicate operation seldom attempted by an amateur. The rose wax was peculiarly thin, almost of the consistence of a real rose petal. The chief tools were small, sharp scissors and a few bone or steel pins with solid glass heads, some dry colours and cotton wool to rub them on with. The worker simply took a rose, snowdrop, violet, or whatever flower she preferred, pulled it carefully to pieces, laid each portion on her sheet of wax and cut out by it as closely as possible, previously wetting her scissors. The petals were moulded in the hollow of the hand with the head of a pin after being coloured, and curled over where desirable, with the steel part wetted like the scissors. The wire stalk was covered by a narrow strip of green wax neatly rolled and rubbed smooth, crooked over at the top and a sort of little wax centre formed on this crook on which the flower was literally built petal by petal. Experience taught which flowers were feasible and which were not. Roses usually turned out well, so did scarlet japonica, apple blossom, snowdrops, and daffodils. Primroses were almost unattainable. Lilies of the valley had each separate blossom made in a tiny mould. All scraps of wax were collected in a stone jar (a strong jam-pot), and, as the great crux was to obtain natural-looking leaves, this wax was carefully melted over or near the fire, well mixed and coloured with indigo and ochre in proportion to the tint of green required. Suppose a few violet leaves were wanted, fresh ones of two or three sizes were gathered and the upper side thoroughly, but not lavishly, moistened with sweet or salad oil. Then a brush was dipped in the liquid green wax and passed over the surface, which was allowed to cool and then a wire stalk was laid on to form the mid-rib of the leaf. Two or three more layers of wax were added, and when quite cold the natural leaf was removed, and a very exact facsimile made its appearance. A well-arranged vase (see illustration on page 309) or basket of wax flowers, closely copied from nature was very pretty and acceptable in the absence of the real blossoms. The wax was rather expensive, though the tools were not, the average price being from oneshilling to one shilling and sixpence per dozen small sheets.
Sampler-making was a fine art practised in silk or wool on fine woollen or silk canvas. Its primary use was to teach how to make capital and small letters and figures, which were practically applied to the marking of linen; but occasionally the geography of England was attempted, as shown in the illustration below, and probably no girl who had marked in the outlines and names of the counties ever forgot their respective positions.
All these home occupations had their day and fulfilled their purpose. They added to the household attractions, and made the rooms look as if women lived there and took a pride in them. Very often the nimble fingers worked all the more quickly and efficiently while an interesting book was being read aloud.
mapOLD SAMPLER MAP (1810).
OLD SAMPLER MAP (1810).
OLD SAMPLER MAP (1810).
We often say that in those days—which, after all, are not so very long ago—girls were delicate and unhealthy, took but little exercise, and were too much given to sedentary occupations. But it was only the foolish (who carry everything to excess) of whom this was true. There was a good deal of running about the house, and the sons and daughters would have known very little of their relations and friends a few miles off, if they had not walked to see them, perhaps to spend the day, or to go one day and return the next. Few families were without sundry poor people in whom they were interested, and if they lived at the other end of the parish, it was an object for a walk to take an old woman a milk pudding, or a little delicacy to a sick child. Houses were more roomy than they are now, certainly the population was not quite so thick on the ground, and in persistent bad weather, when outdoor exercise was impossible for the girls, there were fine games of battledore and shuttlecock in the hall or schoolroom or some half-empty apartment cleared for the purpose. And it was a point of skill, as well as honour, to see who could keep up longest with a skipping-rope, and, though the little ones shared the fun, it was by no means confined to them.
Small daily duties well done, and the change of work that is as good as play, made life satisfactory as well as pleasant. Amusements were rare and costly; they are not invariably cheap now, but apparently we must have them, whatever may be neglected in consequence. We cannot exactly go back to all the ways of our "foremothers," but we need not despise them, and already there are signs that the finger of common-sense is pointing back to that lost era of domesticity in which so many English virtues grew up and nourished.
E. C.
GillmanPhoto: Gillman and Co., Ltd., Dublin.THE HON. CONRAD DILLON.
Photo: Gillman and Co., Ltd., Dublin.THE HON. CONRAD DILLON.
Photo: Gillman and Co., Ltd., Dublin.
THE HON. CONRAD DILLON.
What a fascinating book might be written about the story of temperance work in the Army! Long before any attempt at organised effort, the gallant Havelock had seen the necessity of inculcating "sober habits" among our brave defenders. Coming to our own times, Miss Sarah Robinson, Mrs. Daniells and her daughter at home, and the Rev. J. Gelson Gregson in India, have laboured with more or less success to bring about a change in the state of affairs. The National Temperance League did a vast amount of pioneer work through its military agent, the late Samuel Sims. The formation of the Army Temperance Association a few years back, gave the movement a position which even the most sanguine of its friends would not have ventured to expect. There can be little doubt that this result is largely due to the far-seeing intelligence which its devoted Honorary Secretary, the Hon. Conrad Dillon, has brought to the work. His sagacious counsels, unfailing tact, and extraordinary power of attracting the sympathetic co-operation of the commanding officers, have combined to place the work upon a footing from which it is scarcely likely to be displaced. At the autumn manœuvres on Salisbury Plain the Army Temperance Association was much in evidence, and a number of most successful meetings were addressed by the Hon. Conrad Dillon and the popular secretary of the Association, Mr. Clare White. The Patron of the Association is the Duke of Cambridge; the President is the Duke of Connaught; the Chairman of the Council is Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee is General Sir Martin Dillon, K.C.B. The Association publishes an attractive periodical entitledOn the March, and its comparatively small subscription list is supplemented by a Government grant of £500. It speaks volumes for the thoroughly satisfactory nature of the work done that the Government actually parts with this little plum annually. The amount might easily be doubled in view of the saving to the nation which the improved stamina of the Army has effected, an improvement most certainly traceable to the efforts of temperance workers.
SalisburyON SALISBURY PLAIN.(Working the Field Telegraph.)
ON SALISBURY PLAIN.(Working the Field Telegraph.)
ON SALISBURY PLAIN.
(Working the Field Telegraph.)
The close of the year was marked by the death of some notable pioneers of temperance. The Rev. G. H. Kirwood, M.A., was for upwards of fifty years identified with the cause in Hereford, and the Rev. Isaac Doxsey for even a longer period in the metropolis. Charles Pollard, of Kettering, could be credited with sixty years' untiring advocacy; John Faulkner, of Derby, had been an abstainer for fifty-five years; and William Symington, of Market Harborough, had reached the patriarchal age of eighty-nine. Apart altogether from the noblework which these lamented worthies accomplished, their long lives present a concrete argument as to the benefits of total abstinence which it will take a great deal to explain away. May the example of their consistent perseverance prove an incentive to young men to follow in their steps!
colonyTHE COLONY FOR INEBRIATE WOMEN, DUXHURST.
THE COLONY FOR INEBRIATE WOMEN, DUXHURST.
THE COLONY FOR INEBRIATE WOMEN, DUXHURST.
The Industrial Farm Colony at Duxhurst, Reigate, which owes its establishment mainly to the self-sacrificing devotion of Lady Henry Somerset, is an experiment which cannot fail to command the sympathy of everyone interested in the reclamation of inebriate women. To take the poor creatures away from their sordid surroundings, and place them in village homes with the attraction of out-door occupation, are the salient features of the work. Floriculture, gardening, bee-keeping, and poultry-keeping, are all engaged in; and, as some of the poor women must perforce bring their very young babies with them, a "Children's Nest" is part of the scheme. Dr. Walters, the medical officer, in a recent report gives some interesting particulars of sixty-four inmates:—
"Forty-eight were married women; sixteen were single.
"Twenty-nine drank spirits alone; fifteen drank beer and malt liquors; eleven drank any form of alcohol; four drank wine and spirits; three drank beer and spirits; one drank beer and wine; one took opium.
"Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to be able to speak with confidence regarding the ultimate cure of the thirty-three cases that are now marked as doing well.
"Regarding the failures:—Ten only stayed the full time: two of these had been in homes previously; one had been in an asylum, four were so broken in health that they were removed by the medical officer as unfit for treatment, seven were removed by their friends before the full period had expired."
The members of the National British Women's Temperance Association raise a considerable sum annually in aid of this beneficent institution, but financial help is much needed if the work is to be maintained with anything like efficiency.
kitchenONE OF THE KITCHENS AT DUXHURST.
ONE OF THE KITCHENS AT DUXHURST.
ONE OF THE KITCHENS AT DUXHURST.
The reassembling of our legislators at St. Stephen's will once again give interest to the legislative aspect of the temperance question. The friends of Sunday closing are lending all their energies to a determined effort to "get something" in the new session ofParliament. We may also expect the usual crop of private members' notices dealing with varied phases of legislative control; and then the Report of the Royal Commission, from which great things are anticipated, will be sufficient to keep all interested parties on the alert. As if this were not enough, Sir Wilfrid Lawson may be counted upon to peg away at his project for bringing the House itself under the operation of the licensing laws; so for the next few months we shall find our morning papers liberally besprinkled with items of interest from a temperance standpoint.
As considerable interest has been taken in our recent references to the editor-in-chief of the New English Dictionary, we may remark that Dr. Murray makes no secret of his views. Speaking at a public meeting of teachers held in Oxford in 1894, he said that he claimed to be a teetotaller of more than fifty years' standing; and the great dictionary-maker added:—"I am perfectly convinced that I have been able to do my work in the world to a large extent owing to this fact; and that if I were to take stimulants I should be less able to do my work, and certainly my brain would be less fitted to deal with the complicated and somewhat difficult questions which often puzzle me a good deal."
Workers may like to make a note of the following important fixtures:—The annual meeting of Miss Weston's Royal Naval Temperance Society, Town Hall, Portsmouth, February 1st; Sunday Closing Demonstration, Birmingham, February 6th; Sunday Closing Mission, Sheffield, February 1st to February 15th; Sunday Closing Mission, Salisbury, February 13th to February 28th; a lecture on "The Scientific Evidence for Total Abstinence," by Dr. William Carter, at Liverpool, February 6th; and the annual meetings of the Church of England Temperance Society, Memorial Hall, Islington (March 13th), Exeter Hall (April 25th), and the People's Palace (May 2nd).
song
Words byJoseph Swain, 1792.Music byRoland Rogers, Mus. D., Oxon.(Late Organist of Bangor Cathedral.)
1. Who can forbear to sing,Who can refuse to praise,When Zion's high, celestial KingHis saving power displays?2. When sinners at His feet,By mercy conquer'd, fall;When grace, and truth, and justice meet,And peace invites them all.3. When heaven's opening gatesInvite the pilgrims' feet;And Jesus, at their entrance, waitsTo place them on His seat.4. Who can forbear to praiseOur high, celestial King,When sovereign, rich, redeeming graceInvites our tongues to sing!
1. Who can forbear to sing,Who can refuse to praise,When Zion's high, celestial KingHis saving power displays?
2. When sinners at His feet,By mercy conquer'd, fall;When grace, and truth, and justice meet,And peace invites them all.
3. When heaven's opening gatesInvite the pilgrims' feet;And Jesus, at their entrance, waitsTo place them on His seat.
4. Who can forbear to praiseOur high, celestial King,When sovereign, rich, redeeming graceInvites our tongues to sing!
scripture
With Illustrative Anecdotes and References.
February 19th—Christ Feeding the Five Thousand.
To read—St. John vi. 1-14. Golden Text—Ver. 35.
CChrist and disciples have returned to Galilee. The fame of His miracles and teaching spreads. Multitudes crowd to see and hear Him. The annual Feast of Passover is coming on. Large bodies of pilgrims going up to Jerusalem attract Christ's notice. They are fed and taught.
Christ and disciples have returned to Galilee. The fame of His miracles and teaching spreads. Multitudes crowd to see and hear Him. The annual Feast of Passover is coming on. Large bodies of pilgrims going up to Jerusalem attract Christ's notice. They are fed and taught.
I.The Multitude(1-7).Their desire for Christ.Why did they come to Him? Some fromcuriosity—to see this famous Man; or becausesick, hoping they might be healed; or fromgratitude—having received benefits from Him. Christ does not court popularity; seeks retirement; goes up a hill with disciples for privacy and rest; there sits down and talks with them. From there sees crowd of pilgrims. Must do something for them.
Christ's desire for them.Theirwantscall out His sympathy—they need food. Theirhelplessnessmoves His pity. Whence obtain supplies in wilderness far from home? Theirignorancemakes Him long to teach them (St. Matt. ix. 36). What does He do! Tests His disciple Philip of Bethsaida (i. 44), who ought to know the resources of the district. Philip makes mental calculation of cost of feeding them. It will take two hundred pence (about £7, taking thedenariusor penny as worth 7d., an ordinary day's wages, Matt. xx. 2). But the Lord knew what He would do.
II.The Miracle(8-13). Many points to be noticed.The lad's offering—probably the meal provided for Christ and disciples. Five barley-bread loaves and two small fishes. But five thousand to be fed! Man's extremity is God's opportunity.
Christ's command.People to rest, sit in rows.
Giving thanksto God Who giveth food to all.
Distributionby disciples, His almoners to the poor.
Sufficientand to spare. None went empty away.
Gathering upfragments to avoid any waste.
III.The Result(14). Acceptance of Christ by the multitude as the expected Messiah.
Lessons.1. Blessed is he who considereth the poor.
2. Give thanks unto the God of heaven.
Food Comes from God.We are in want of food, and we buy a loaf at a baker's shop. Whence does a baker get the flour to make that loaf? You say at once—"From the miller"; but how does the miller get the corn to grind into flour? He buys it of the farmer. But how does the farmer get it? With infinite pains he prepares the ground with plough and harrow. Then he sows the seed and—leaves it. He can do no more. The soil in which it grows, the sunshine to warm it, the rain to moisten it, and the wind to blow upon it—all these are God's doing, not man's. So a wonder is seen in thousands of harvest fields every year. One grain has produced a hundred grains by the almighty power of God. Christ, the Son of God, passed over all the intermediate processes, and made one loaf to be multiplied into many. "He giveth food to all flesh, for His mercy endureth for ever."
We are in want of food, and we buy a loaf at a baker's shop. Whence does a baker get the flour to make that loaf? You say at once—"From the miller"; but how does the miller get the corn to grind into flour? He buys it of the farmer. But how does the farmer get it? With infinite pains he prepares the ground with plough and harrow. Then he sows the seed and—leaves it. He can do no more. The soil in which it grows, the sunshine to warm it, the rain to moisten it, and the wind to blow upon it—all these are God's doing, not man's. So a wonder is seen in thousands of harvest fields every year. One grain has produced a hundred grains by the almighty power of God. Christ, the Son of God, passed over all the intermediate processes, and made one loaf to be multiplied into many. "He giveth food to all flesh, for His mercy endureth for ever."
February 26th.—Christ at the Feast.
To read—St. John vii. 14, 28-37. Golden Text—Ver. 37.
Scene again changes to Jerusalem. Spring Feast of Passover long over, autumn Feast of Tabernacles begun. Christ at first decided (ver. 8) not to attend, but (ver. 14) changed His mind and went up, in the middle of the eight days, quite privately (ver. 10), and began teaching in the Temple.
I.A Sermon(28, 29). Christ now preaches openly and proclaims His authority. They by this time know Him well. How? By His miracles, which proclaim Him as sent from God. Had healed the impotent man here at Jerusalem (ch. v. 8), also had been testified to by God at His baptism (St. Matt. iii. 17), and by John the Baptist afterwards as the Son of God (i. 33, 34). They knew not God, and therefore would not receive Him.
II.An Attempt at Arrest(30-36). Many believed on Him—mostly common people. Why? Because of His miracles, His loving words, His holy life. But chief priests and Pharisees hated Him. Why? For His increasing popularity, while theirs was becoming less. Also for His so openly rebuking sin. So they sought to take Him prisoner, but failed. Why? Because His time for being tried not yet come.
Christ continued His talk. He is now with them as Teacher and Saviour, but will soon go where they cannot follow,i.e.back to God. They who reject Him will then seek Him too late, and not find Him (Prov. i. 26). Christ is believed, accepted, loved by some. Rejected, hated, despised by others. How is it with us?
III.An Offer(37). Last day of feast. Great procession to Temple. Water brought from Pool of Siloam and poured out. Isaiah xi. sung by priests and Levites. Christ applies it to Himself. Notice the steps—
Thirst, or desire for satisfaction, common to all.
Comingto Christ for free gifts of salvation (Is. lv. 1) follows. This is succeeded by—
Believingor throwing ourselves entirely on Him.
Lesson.Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.
A Dry Well.I once saw a picture in which the artist had represented a party of travellers in the desert. They had travelled farand long. The water was spent in their bottles, and their thirst was maddening. They were tired and footsore, and could scarce drag themselves along, when lo! joy of joys they descried a well in the distance. Gathering up their little remaining strength, they joyfully hastened to it. But, alas! for their bitter disappointment, when they reached it, there was no water there! The well was dry! In attitudes of utter despair the unhappy party laid themselves down beside the deceitful well to die. Never, oh never, can it be so with Christ. His water will never fail. He is the well of life. That living stream is from the throne of God, always full of life and grace for thirsting souls.—Rev. Gordon Calthrop.
I once saw a picture in which the artist had represented a party of travellers in the desert. They had travelled farand long. The water was spent in their bottles, and their thirst was maddening. They were tired and footsore, and could scarce drag themselves along, when lo! joy of joys they descried a well in the distance. Gathering up their little remaining strength, they joyfully hastened to it. But, alas! for their bitter disappointment, when they reached it, there was no water there! The well was dry! In attitudes of utter despair the unhappy party laid themselves down beside the deceitful well to die. Never, oh never, can it be so with Christ. His water will never fail. He is the well of life. That living stream is from the throne of God, always full of life and grace for thirsting souls.—Rev. Gordon Calthrop.
March 5th.—Christ Freeing from Sin.
To read—St. John viii. 12, 31-36. Golden Text—Ver. 36.
Christ still at Jerusalem. Feast over. Country people gone home. He teaches daily in Temple courts. Tells of the union between His Father and Himself, and of His being lifted up on the cross (ver. 28). Result, that many professed to believe in Him. He tells them first of Himself as the Light of the World and then of their position as God's free children.
I.Christ the Light of the World.The figure.Light is from God (Gen. i. 3), is bright and shining. Lights up darkness, reveals hidden things, makes all clear.
The meaning.Christ came from God, to dispel world's darkness (St. Matt. iv. 16) and ignorance, and to reveal God (ch. xiv. 9).
II.Christ's People Free(31-36).Bondage.New disciples put to the test. They must do two things—continue in His word,i.e.learn more of Him, and act upon the truth in their lives. The result will be that they will break their bondage and be free. The Jews object that they have never been in bondage. What have they forgotten? Their bondage in Egypt for four hundred years (Acts vii. 6); their seventy years' exile in Babylon (Dan. ix. 2); their present submission to the Romans. Christ tells them of a greater bondage than any other—that of sin and Satan. To live a life of sin is to be a slave of sin, which involves expulsion from the house (ver. 35).
Examples.Cain the murderer became a wanderer (Gen. iv. 12). Hagar, mocking Sarah, had to leave home (Gen. xvi. 6). Prodigal son went to strange land (St. Luke xv. 13). No rest for the wicked.
Freedom.Given to Christ's people. The Son shared Father's home from all eternity—so do His brethren. They are ever with Him, share His home and love (St. Luke xv. 31); they are free from sin (Rom. vi. 22); they cannot wilfully sin, being children of God (1 John iii. 9). Free to serve Him with loving service.
Examples.Martha (St. Luke x. 40), Mary (St. John xii. 4), and St. Paul (Phil. iii. 7).
Lessons.1. The wages of sin is death.
2. Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?
Burden of Sin.We have a picture of the Arabs dragging huge loads for Mr. Layard, the great explorer, and we can imagine how Pharaoh's slaves, the Israelites, must have sweated and smarted under their burdens when in Egypt. And I (writes an eminent preacher) seemed in my youth to have just such a load behind me, and it would not stir. My burden of inward sin when I was fifteen was such that I knew not what to do. I prayed, and it would not stir. I read my Bible, but it would not move. I cried to God in my agony; I trusted Him. I looked to the Lamb of God, the sin-bearer, and lo! the burden was gone. I obtained pardon and peace through Jesus Christ, "Who bore our sins."
We have a picture of the Arabs dragging huge loads for Mr. Layard, the great explorer, and we can imagine how Pharaoh's slaves, the Israelites, must have sweated and smarted under their burdens when in Egypt. And I (writes an eminent preacher) seemed in my youth to have just such a load behind me, and it would not stir. My burden of inward sin when I was fifteen was such that I knew not what to do. I prayed, and it would not stir. I read my Bible, but it would not move. I cried to God in my agony; I trusted Him. I looked to the Lamb of God, the sin-bearer, and lo! the burden was gone. I obtained pardon and peace through Jesus Christ, "Who bore our sins."
March 12th.—Christ Healing the Blind Man.
To read—St. John ix. 1-11. Golden Text—Ver. 25.
Three months since conversation in last lesson. Christ one Sabbath, on His way with disciples to or from Temple, sees a man blind from birth, probably asking alms from worshippers.
I.The Disciples' Question.Why this blindness?A babe born blind—terrible calamity. Unable to care for self, avoid danger, or work for living. Was it a punishment in advance for some after-sin? Was it because of some sin of parents?
The answer.No. Unusual suffering must not be connected with some particular sin. True, if there were no sin there would be no suffering. But all suffering for some good end (Heb. xii. 7. 11). Calls forth pity, love, sympathy, help. Example: Good Samaritan caring for traveller in trouble (St. Luke x. 33). This blind man's misfortune would prove to be for the glory of God.
Christ's message.1. To do works of mercy. Therefore "went about doing good." Proving Himself "sent from God," Who shows love for all—evil and good (St. Matt. v. 45).
2. To be Light of the world. To teach the ignorant, to reveal to men their sin and Himself as Saviour (Heb. i. 2), to show the principles underlying the commandments as He did about observance of the Sabbath (vii. 23).
II.The Miracle(6-11). Notice—The use of means.Christ could have cured him by a word, as He did the sick of the palsy (St. Matt. ix. 6), but He put clay on his eyes and bade him go and wash—thus teaching use of healing ointment and cleanliness in cure of bodily ailments—but useless without His blessing; also a test of the man's faith, as with Naaman (2 Kings v. 14).
The neighbours' interest.Such a wonderful cure seemed incredible, caused discussion—could it be the same man? How were his eyes opened? So the man was questioned and told his story. He believed, obeyed, and was cured.
III.The Teaching.A Parable of the Sinner and Saviour.
The sinner, born in sin, cannot see the light. Is bidden to wash in the fountain always open. Believes, obeys, and is cleansed.
The Saviour, full of compassion, gives light, knowledge, hope, salvation, to those who believe.
Lesson.Open Thou mine eyes, that I may see.
Light and Joy.A poor boy in a coal-mine, whose work it was to close the door after the coal-waggons had passed, was forced to sit there alone hour after hour in the dark. He was a dear lad, and when someone said to him, "Are you not tired of sitting so long in the dark?" he answered, "Yes, I do get tired, but sometimes when the men give me a bit of candle I sing." So do we. When we get a light in our hearts we sing. Glory to God Who is our light as well as our salvation! We see our sin and our Saviour, and, saved by grace, we shall one day see the dear face of Him we love, and behold the land which is far off.
A poor boy in a coal-mine, whose work it was to close the door after the coal-waggons had passed, was forced to sit there alone hour after hour in the dark. He was a dear lad, and when someone said to him, "Are you not tired of sitting so long in the dark?" he answered, "Yes, I do get tired, but sometimes when the men give me a bit of candle I sing." So do we. When we get a light in our hearts we sing. Glory to God Who is our light as well as our salvation! We see our sin and our Saviour, and, saved by grace, we shall one day see the dear face of Him we love, and behold the land which is far off.
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The striking diagram here shown is an attempt to represent the different prices a buyer would have had to pay in times past for an ordinary English Bible which he can get to-day for sixpence! In 1804 such a Bible could not be bought under ten times that sum, and in 1650 the purchaser would have had to pay no less than a sovereign, or, forty times to-day's price, for a similar Bible. In 1450 it could not have been bought, except as a written copy, and would have cost over five pounds, money then, as compared with now, having greater purchasing power, too! So that it is practically impossible to give a true representation of this last case, compared with the former; but the diagram clearly shows that a silver coin which would buy such a Bible to-day would have to be represented by the ten coins to buy the same Bible in 1804, and by the forty coins to buy it in 1650!
earl(Photo: London Stereoscopic Co., Limited.)THE EARL OF HARROWBY.(President of the Bible Society.)
(Photo: London Stereoscopic Co., Limited.)THE EARL OF HARROWBY.(President of the Bible Society.)
(Photo: London Stereoscopic Co., Limited.)
THE EARL OF HARROWBY.
(President of the Bible Society.)