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Much more should he, when he is told,
To wash, and thus be clean,
Most cheerfully the voice obey,
And learn in this most simple way,
What words prophetic mean.

His servants thus o'er him prevailed,
And from his purpose turned.
As by the prophet he was told,
Sev'n times himself in Jordan rolled,
And healing virtue learned.

Amazed and also much rejoiced
At what had taken place,
He, to the man of God returned,
Whom he'd before most proudly spurned,
And sought to see his face.

He stood before him with his men,
And there aloud proclaimed:
There is no God in all the earth,
E'en in the land of his own birth,
Save Him in Israel famed.

A present he desired to give

The prophet, and believed

He would from him accept the same, With further blessings on his name, Besides what he'd received.

The prophet, with great emphasis,
The gift receive declined,
And though again most strongly urged,
Still not in least had he diverged

From his first state of mind.

Some earth to bear from Israel home,
He then permission craved,
From which he might an altar make,
So that the God he'd ne'er forsake,
Who him from death had saved.

With greatest cheer this favor was
To him and his allowed.
The prophet bid him "Go in peace!"
And still in wisdom's ways increase,
Amid the worldly proud.

Most truly great the blessings were,
On Syria's son conferred.
But greater blessings still than they,
Belong to those who God obey
In Jesus Christ the Lord.

Sin's leprosy far exceeds,

In virulence and force

That, which had Naaman assailed,
And for whose cure no means availed
Outside prophetic source.

It, like a venomous disease,

Our vital parts affects.

The body it deprives of health,

And creeping o'er the soul by stealth,
Death into it injects.

One only remedy for it

Can any where be found.
'Tis Jesus' blood alone can purge
The soul from sin's polluting scourge;
Such grace does here abound.

This fountain open is to all
Who will to it repair.
Full virtue, they in it shall find
To heal disease of vilest kind,
And all its blessings share.
Oh that we could on all prevail,
Its healing virtues test,
Who in their sins are perishing!
No merit need they with them bring,
With Jesus' merits blest.

How anxious, also, should all be,
Like Syria's captive maid,

That others may the blessings know
Which from this gracious fountain flow,
In house of David laid!

Let all then ever cheerful raise
The kind inviting voice,

That sinners, who their danger see,
May be induced to Jesus flee,

And in His grace rejoice.

Soon would God's glory fill the world, As waters do the sea,

Should all the dear Redeemer's friends, For past remissness make amends,

And henceforth active be.

Oh! that the Spirit of our God
On all our hearts were shed,
That saints their duties may discern,
And sinners from their errors turn,
And be to Jesus led!

S. R. F.

Downfall of Napoleon III.

The following article is republished from the June number of the GUARDIAN of 1866. At the time Napoleon III. was still in his power as Emperor of France. We have little faith in the prophecies of modern Seers, and yet we cannot deny that the following calculations were singularly verified. In the Summer of 1869 King William of Prussia was accosted by the representative of France as he strolled along the shaded walks of Ems. Then and there he gave France an answer which in a few days set the armies of both nations by the throat. On September 3, 1870, Napoleon III. surrendered at Sedan, and took up his abode at Wilhelmslöhe as a dethroned prisoner. Thus he ended his imperial career in "the fatal 1869."

(ED. GUARDIAN.

Some one, curious in the statistics of fatality, has been making calculations to show that Napoleon III will come to his downfall in 1869. The calculations are founded on some very odd coincidences of dates which we will try to explain. In the first place, they take the dates of the principal events in the history of Louis Philippe and his Queen, which they group together so as to sum up 1848, the year of his downfall. Thus, Louis Philippe was born in 1773 and ascended the throne in 1830. Now to 1830 add separately the figures 1, 7, 7, 3, of his birth date, and they make 1848, thus: 1830, and 1 aud 7 and 7 and 3 make 1848. The same result is reached if we take the year of his marriage. That event occurred in 1809 and he ascended the throne in 1830 and 1 and 8 and 0 and 9 make 1848. Again, if we take the date of his Queen's

birth 1782 and go through the same process-1830 and 1 and 7 and 8 and 2 we arrive at the same fatal year 1848, in which he lost his throne.

The second part of the calculation is this: Napoleon III. was born in 1808, and ascended the throne in 1852. Now if we start with 1852, and the separate figures in his birth year, we come to 1869 for 1852 and 1 and 8 and 0 and 8 make 1869. So, too, of his Empress. Eugenie was born in 1826. Taking the date of his ascent to the throne in 1852 and adding the separate figures of his marriage year, and it still points to 1869. Thus, 1852 and 1 and 8 and 5 and 3 make 1869. In fact, these French historical dates are full of such curious indications. Robespierre fell in 1794. Taking that date and adding the separate figures of it as above, and we have 1794 and 1 and 7 and 9 and 4-making the date of Napoleon's fall, 1815. Pursuing the same method, we take 1815 and 1 and 8 and 1 and 5 making 1830, the date of the fall of Charles X. Going on to 1848 the date of Louis Philippe's downfall, and we find that 1848 and 1 and 8 and 4 and 8 brings us once more to the fatal 1869.

But there is still another fatality attending these French dynasties, which is put in this form: Seventeen years was the limit of the supremacy of Napoleon I.; seventeen years the restored Bourbons reigned; seventeen years Louis Philippe occupied the throne; and the same seventeen years being accorded to Napoleon III., it carries him to the same fatal 1869 as the end of his career.

And this fatal seventeen is also produced by strange coincidences. Taking the figures in the year of his birth, 1808, and adding them up thus, 1 and 8 and 0 and 8, and they sum up 17; taking the figures in the year of his Empress' birth, 1826, and adding them, 1 and 8 and 2 and 6, and they also make 17; then taking the figures in the year of his marriage, 1853, 1 and and 8 and 5 and 3, and they likewise foot up 17.

Here is encouragement to perseverance, that Jesus our Head is already in Heaven; and if the head be above water, the body cannot drown.

Bill and Joe.

Come, dear old comrade, you and I
Will steal an hour from days gone by-
The shining days when life was new,
And all was bright with morning dew-
The lusty days of long ago,

When you were Bill and I was Joe.

Your name may flaunt a title trail,
Proud as a cockerel's rainbow tail;
And mine as brief appendix wear
As Tam O'Shanter's luckless mare;
To-day, old friend, remember still
That I am Joe and you are Bill.

You've won the great world's envied prize,
And grand you look in the people's eyes,
With H ON, and L L D.,

In big brave letters fair to see,
Your fist old fellow! off they go!
How are you, Bill! How are you, Joe!

You've worn the judge's ermined robe;
You've taught your name to half the globe;
You've sung mankind a deathless strain;
You've made the dead past live again;
The world may call you what it will,
But you and I are Joe and Bill.

The chaffing young folks stare and say,
"See those old buffers, bent and gray,
They talk like fellows in their teens,
Mad poor old boys! That's what it means."
And shake their heads; they little know
The throbbing hearts of Bill and Joe.

How Bill forgets his hour of pride,
While Joe sits smiling at his side;
How Joe, in spite of Time's disguise,
Finds the old school-mate in his eyes,
Those calm, stern eyes that melt and fill
As Joe looks fondly up at Bill.

;

Ah, pensive scholar, what is fame?
A fitful tongue of leaping flame
A giddy whirlwind's fickle gust,
That lifts a pinch of mortal dust
A few swift years, and who can show
Which dust was Bill and which was Joe?

The weary idol takes his stand,
Holds out his bruised and aching hand,
While gaping thousands come and go,
How vain it seems, this empty show!
Till all at once his pulses thrill;
'Tis poor old Joe's "God bless you, Bill!"
And shall we breathe in happier spheres
The names that please our mortal ears,
In some sweet lull of harp and song,
For earth-born spirits none too long,
Just whisper of the world below
Where this was Bill and that was Joe.
No matter; while our home is here
No sounding name is half so dear;
When fades at length our lingering day
Who cares what pompous tombstones say?
Read on the hearts that love us still,
HIC JACET JOE, HIC JACET BILL.

-Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Literary Value of the Bible.

Doubtless there are among our readers those who would form a correct literary taste. Such a taste guards the mind, as a healthy appetite does the body. It instinctively rejects, as the appetite does unwholesome food, poor books, and takes to good ones. Richard Grant White gives this personal testimony as to the value of the Bible in forming a literary taste that discerns between the evil and the good.

says:

He

"I had been brought up on the Bible, which I had read until even at this day I know it better than I know any other book; and this with the 'Pilgrim's Progress' and the Waverly novels, both of which I read over and over again, had made poor books distasteful to me and awakened in me a greed for the good, for which good fortune of my boyhood I cannot be too grateful."

One reason why the Bible has so great literary value is that its style is both simple and strong. Coleridge, a good critic of style, though he did not always heed his own criticisms, thought it a kind of providence that the Bible was translated about the time when the English language had its greatest strength. Any one may see for himself this simplicity and strength by comparing a chapter of the Bible with the leading article in a good newspaper. The contrast will teach him how much the modern style of writing has lost by sacrificing simplicity and strength for the sake of making, what Goldsmith told Johnson he would do if he were to write a book about animals, "all the little fishes talk like whales."

-Dean Stanley, one Sunday afternoon, years ago, remarked to his wife, it is said, that the people had gazed intently at him while he preached his morning sermon. "How could they help it, my dear," she replied, "when one of your gloves was on the top of your head all the time?" The good dean makes no gestures while he preaches, and stands quite still, so that the glove, which it seems had fallen from his hat to his head, remained there during the entire discourse.

Dr. Franklin's Letter.

In his younger years Benjamin Franklin was somewhat skeptical in his views of Christianity, but his mind seems to have been so occupied with his philosophical and other useful pursuits that he never devoted to it his whole power of investigation. In his riper years he was better inclined to religious thoughts. Mr. Weems, in his life of Franklin, gives a great many illustrations of this. He says: "What but that religion which teaches the price of truth' could have made him so penitent for having said anything in his youthful days against revelation? And while the popular infidels of Europe were so fond of filling the world with their books against Christ, that they might, as one of them said, 'crush the wretch,' what but a hearty esteem for him could have led Franklin to write the following reproof of a gentleman who, having written a pamphlet against Christianity, sent it to him, requesting his opinion of it?" The following is Franklin's reply:

SIR:-I have read your manuscript with some attention. By the argument it contains against a particular providence, although you allow a general providence, you strike at the foundation of all religion; for without the belief of a Providence that takes cognizance of, guards, and guides, and may favor particular persons, there is no motive to worship a deity, to fear its displeasure, or to pray for its protection. I will not enter into any discussion of your principles, though you seem to desire it. At present I shall only give you my opinion, that, though your reasonings are subtle, and may prevail with some readers, you will not succeed so as to change the general sentiments of mankind on that subject; and the consequence of printing this piece will be a great deal of odium drawn upon yourself-mischief to you and no benefit to others. "He that spits against the wind spits in his own face." But were you to succeed, do you imagine any good will be done by it? You yourself may find it easy to lead a virtuous life without the assistance afforded by religion; you, having a clear perception of the advantage of virtue and the disadvantage of vice, possessing a strength of resolution sufficient to enable

you to resist common temptations. But think how great a portion of mankind consists of ignorant men and women, and of inexperienced, inconsiderate youth of both sexes, who have need of the motives of religion to restrain them from vice, support their virtue, and retain them in the practice of it till it becomes habitual, which is the greatest point of its security.

And, perhaps, you are indebted to her original, that is your religious education, for the habits of virtue upon which you now justly value yourself. You might easily display your excellent talents of reasoning upon a less hazardous subject, and thereby obtain a rank with our most distinguished authors; for among us it is not necessary, as among the Hottentots, that a youth, to be raised into the company of men, should prove his manhood by beating his mother. I would advise you, therefore, not to attempt unchaining the tiger, but to burn this piece before it is seen by any other person; whereby you will save yourself a great deal of mortification from the enemies it may make against you, and, perhaps, a great deal of regret and repentance.

If men are so wicked with religion, what would they be without it? I intend this letter itself as a proof of my friendship, and, therefore, add no professions to it, but subscribe myself simply yours. B. FRANKLIN.

It is believed that Paine was the writer addressed, and that Franklin's cogent reasons deferred the work until after his death. While Paine subsequently was among the more violent French infidels, and after suffering imprisonment from them, he issued the book which, it is as sumed, was then written, but may have been prepared in whole or in part years previous.-O. N. Worden.

-A Glasgow minister was recently called in to see a man who was very ill. After finishing his visit, as he was leaving the house, he said to the man's wife, "My good woman, do you not go to any church at all?" "Oh, yes, sir, we "9 "Then gang to the Barony Kirk. why in the world did you send for me? Why didn't you send for Dr. Macle ›d?” "Na, na, deed no; we wadna risk him. Do ye ken it's a dangerous case of typhus?"

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Our Book Table.

AROUND THE WORLD WITH GENERAL
GRANT. By John Russell Young.
American News Company. New York,
and 907 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
Parts I., II., III., IV.

fortunes and misfortunes of the country. In his earlier labors he passed through perilous persecutions, in which the influence of his Greek wife shielded him against many a danger.

This volume does not simply give us the biography of an individual, but a life-like sketch of the missionary work in Greece during a period of forty years. To the mind of a child of God it has all the fascination of a romance, with none of its faults,

Such a constant walking by faith, laying foundations amid danger and darkness, hoping against hope, loving these who hate him, and suffering for those who despise him-the study of such a life is a new inspiration to the heart of a believer. We expect to give a more detailed sketch of the life of this eminently good man, in a later number of the GUARDIAN.

This promises to be a work of unusual interest. The author, traveling with Ex-President Grant through Europe, Asia and Africa, enjoyed rare advantages of studying the civil, domestic and social life of the leading cities and nations of the world. His descriptions of General Grant's receptions by the different municipal and national authorities of the earth are very graphic. The work possesses a freshness and novelty not found in ordinary books of travel. The author is well and widely known as an able European correspondent of the New York Herald. If he does not equal in all respects, Johnson's Boswell The Glorious Sufficiency of Christ disor Bismark's Busch, he reports many cusses in a practical way the subject of interviews and conversations between our Saviour's all-sufficiency. His fullGrant and the distinguished persons ness of light, merit, truth, mercy, whom he visited. The work will con- patience, sanctifying grace, moral and tain 800 fine steel engravings prepared religious excellence, moral beauty, joy by the best artist and engravers. The to render us happy, consolation in afflicentire work will consist of twenty parts, tion, power to deliver and protect, wisfour of which will be issued every dom to manage the affairs of the soul, month. The whole is to be completed and glory. These several points are exby November 1. It is sold only to sub-plained and illustrated in a clear and scribers, and the parts will be delivered simple style. to them at fifty cents each. Or it will be furnished to them bound in different styles, as desired.

JONAS KING: Missionary to Syria and
Greece. By F. E. H. H. Pp. 372.

Price $1.50.

THE GLORIOUS SUFFICIENCY
CHRIST. By Rev. Cornelius
D. D., Liberty, Pa. Pp. 116.

OF

Tyree,

Price

The Bridal Souvenir contains many choice selections from standard authors, bearing on the subject of marriage and married life, and furnishes apt reading to persons who wish to make their state of wedlock one of permanent happiness. The book is very finely gotten up; the quality of the paper, style of printing the binding, the marriage certificate no less than the contents, make it a suita

ble Bridal Souvenir.

60 cents. THE BRIDAL SOUVENIR. Compiled by Rev. Samuel Cutler, author of "The THE story is told of a boy who, having Name above every Name," etc. Pp. 62. got into a passion, was told by his mother Price 60 cents. American Tract Soci- to go to God for forgiveness. She heard ety, 150 Nassau Street, New York. him say, in his childish way, never to be Dr. Jonas King was in a certain angry again; and he added, "Lord, sense the founder of Protestant Missions make ma's temper better too." This in Modern Greece. For nearly 50 years simple prayer speaks volumes to parents. he labored as a foreign missionary; forty Do we govern the children with such of these years he spent in Athens. Mar- kindly words, such pleasant tones, such ried to a Christian lady of Greece, Miss a loving spirit that we can then and Annetta Aspasia Menzous, he could the there ask God's blessing upon your more readily identify himself with the work?"-Congegationalist.

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