was possible to escape from otherwise inevitable destruction and she hesitated not an instant to attempt it. Cautiously starting a blaze she stood with a wet bag ready to smother the first unruly flame. The great fire to the southward was rapidly approaching. Prairie chickens and other birds, driven from their nests, were flying over, uttering distressed cries. The air was full of smoke and burnt grass, and the crackling of the flames could plainly be heard. It was a trying moment. The increased roar of the advancing fire warned Lindy that she had but very little time in which to complete the circle around house and barn; still if she hurried too much, she would lose control of the fire she had started, and with it all hope of safety. The heat was intense, the smoke suffocating, the rapid swinging of the heavy bag most exhausting, but she was unconscious of these things. The extremity of the danger inspired her with wonderful strength and endurance. Instead of losing courage, she increased her almost super-human exertions, and in another brief interval the task was completed. None too soon either, for the swiftly advancing column had nearly reached the wavering, struggling, slow-moving line Lindy had sent out to meet it. It was a wild, fascinating, half terrible, half beautiful scene. The tongues of flame, leaping above each other with airy, fantastic grace, seemed, cat-like, to toy with their victims before devouring them. A sudden, violent gust of wind, and then with a great crackling roar the two fires met, the flames shooting high into the air as they rushed together. For one brief, glorious moment they remained there, lapping the air with their fierce hot tongues; then, suddenly dropping they died quickly out; and where an instant before had been a wall of fire was nothing now but a cloud of blue smoke rising from the blackened ground, and here and there a sickly flame finishing an obstinate tuft of grass. The fire on each side, meeting no obstacle, swept quickly by, and Lindy stood gazing, spell-bound, after it as it darted and flashed in terrible zigzag lines farther away. "Oh, Lindy!" cried a shrill, little voice from the house. Elmer had just awakened. "Yes, I'm coming," Lindy answered, turning. But how very queer she felt! There was a roaring in her ears louder than the fire had made; everything whirled before her eyes, and the sun seemed suddenly to have ceased shining, all was so dark. Reaching the house by a great effort, she sank, faint, dizzy, and trembling, upon the bed by her brother's side. Elmer, frightened and hardly awake, began to cry, and, as he never did anything in a half-way manner, the result was quite wonderful. His frantic shrieks, and furious cries roused his half-fainting sister as effectually as if he had poured a glass of brandy between her lips. She soon sat up, and by and by color began to return to her white face and strength to the exhausted body. Her practical nature and strong will again asserted themselves, and instead of yielding to a feeling of weakness and prostration, she tied on her sun-bonnet firmly, and gave the chickens their long-delayed dinner. But when, half an hour later, her father found her fast asleep, with the glow from the sky reflected on her weary little face he looked out of the window for a moment, picturing to himself the terrible scenes of the afternoon and then down at his daughter. "A brave girl!" he murmured, smoothing the yellow hair with his hard brown hand"a brave girl!"-St. Nicholas. DIRECTORY OF ZION'S REFORMED CHURCH, ALLENTOWN, PA. Rev. E. A. Gernant, pastor of the above church, has published a neat pamphlet with the above title, contain members of the church. The latter are be ing the addresses of the officers and adul tween eight and nine hundred in number There is also a list of the pastors of the con gregation, from 1765 to the present time. The preparation of this manual must have demanded persevering labor. Though purely local in its intention, we mention it for the purpose of encouraging other city churches to engage in similar work. It often happens in cities that prominent members do not know each other's residence. The general publi cation of such directories would promote social intercourse, and would thus be of great advantage to the church. Thee." OUR CABINET. OUR GREETING. every THE SECT OF "THE INSPIRED." Our readers will no doubt read with great interest the article on "The Amana Society" which appears in the present number of "The Guardian." A ebrated printer, was also identified with the sect before he came to America and joined the Dunkards. the Once more it becomes our privilege to extend the usual greeting to our Rock died in 1749, and with his readers at the beginning of another death the fountain of " inspiration year. The years are the leaves of God's seemed to be closed, though there were great book. One by one we turn them several small societies in Elsass, and they are turned forever. While Palatinate and Wetterau which kept up therefore we wish our friends a precarious existence. These societies earthly happiness, we trust that the were to some degree socialistic, but coming year may also bring them stores their chief peculiarity was in the fact of heavenly wisdom. "Be ye happy that, like some of the Anabaptists, they and wise," says an ancient writer. "Let lived in expectation of divine revelathem that love Thy name be joyful in tions. The theory was that if the congregations remained thoroughly united in prayer and work, the Lord would make known His will through their appointed leaders. If this result failed to appear, it was due to lack of faith on the part of the congregation. The great to reach the proper mark "lying spirits' trouble was that when devotion failed were sure to appear, to mislead the peofew words concerning the earlier history of such "lying spirits" that the misple. Of course, it was to the influence of this peculiar people may not be out takes of the leaders were generally atof place. In Germany they have been tributed. In 1815 there was a great known since the earlier years of the last century as "The Inspired" (die Inspirirten). John Frederick Rock, a saddler, of Würtemberg, is generally regarded as their founder. He was born in 1678 in the village of Oberwalden, and was the son of a minister. A wild Christian Metz, who in conjunction with The most prominent of these was boy in his youth he was converted dur- Dr. Weber in 1843 led a colony of about ing a serious illness, and his new-born zeal soon developed into fanaticism. He eight hundred souls to the state of New fell into convulsions, during which he which "the Amana Society," and sevYork and founded "Ebenezer," from believed himself to be in direct com- eral similar settlements are derived. munication with the heavenly world. "At present," says Max Goebel, an He began to preach and was in the habit eminent German writer, "but a few of introducing his discourses with the formula: "Thus saith the Lord by his fragments of the Inspired' are left in Rhineland and Westphalia. Their sectarianism was rampant in Germany, past is in Germany, but in America and Rock soon gathered adherents, they have a present and a future." servant Rock." It was a time when some of whom were men of considerable culture. Two of the most prominent of these, Gruber and Gleim, emigrated to Pennsylvania as early as 1718, but religious revival in Germany, and from this period dates the awakening of the ancient societies. Several men appeared who, it is claimed, possessed the gift of inspiration in an unusual degree. THE CHRISTMAS ROSE. There is a beautiful white flower, did not succeed in propagating their known as the "Christmas Rose," or peculiarities. Christopher Saur, the cel-" Black Hellebore" which is now in bloom and may continue to bloom during the greater part of the winter. In general appearance it somewhat resembles a rose with petals moulded of the finest wax. On sunny days the bees seek it, and gather honey, as though summer had come again. When, a day or two since we saw a specimen, taken from a neighboring garden, we thought it was appropriately named the Christmas Rose, not only because it often blooms at Christmas, but because, like the festival itself, it dispenses beauty and sweetness throughout the most gloomy season of the year. SAD OLD MEN. OUR BOOK TABLE. OLD MEXICO AND HER LOST PROVINCES It is a remarkable fact that, though Mexico is our national next-door neighbor, there is hardly a country in Europe of which we know so little. This volume shows that it has peculiar fascinations, and will probably serve to direct some members of "the great army of direction. It is evident that Mexico is natuthe unemployed" to extend their travels in its rally rich, and in its present peaceful condition must become prosperous. The author, who also visited Cuba and extended his journey to California, has given us a very readable volume, which should enjoy an extensive circulation. The illustrations are very fine, and the CAMBRIDGE SERMONS. By Alexander Mc Kenzie. Boston, D. Lothrop and Company. Price $1.50. In reading these discourses we are not surprised at the popularity which they enjoy. Though not doctrinal, in the general sense of the word, they are thoughtful and instructive. The style is most excellent, always clear, and sometimes very beautiful. The typography of the book leaves nothing to be desired. A COMPANION TO THE GREEK TESTAMENT We have recently made the acquaint-typography is excellent. ance of several very sad old men. They wander about aimlessly, and it is evident that life affords them little pleasure. It is not poverty that distresses them, for it is known that they are among the wealthiest men in the community. The fact is that they lack something which money cannot buy. In their youth they devoted themselves so exclusively to business, that they supposed themselves to have no time for anything else. They took no interest in the church, and did not even acquire a fondness for reading. Money came rapidly, and in due time they retired from business with more than a competence of this world's goods. Then they met an enemy whom they had not expected. After a few days of rest time began to hang heavy on their hands. They grew weary of the society of the few individuals who were situated like themselves, and busy men could not find time to entertain them. If they had been fond of reading they might have enjoyed the society of the most emiuent men of all ages, but when they took up a book they fell asleep over it. As they had not learned to love the church in their youth their hearts now failed to beat responsively to its life. There seemed to be nothing for them to do, so they grew sad, and now though they have plenty of wealth their lot is pitiable. This book is one of the results of Dr. Schaff's labors as a member of the Committee on Re vision. We know no volume in which so many of the results of critical study of the sacred text are brought together into such a compact form, and it ought therefore to find a place in the library of every intelligent stuaware of the eminent ability of the author that dent of Holy Writ. Our readers are so well we need do no more than to announce the appearance of this precious volume. THE CENTURY MAGAZINE FOR DECEMBER cannot fail to be attractive to all classes of readers. The frontispiece is a fine portrait of the late Peter Cooper, who for his generosity and personal excellence well deserves to be remembered. Among the illustrated articles are "The Fairest County in England," by Francis George Heath, "The Silverado Squatters," by H. H., and "The Pretenders to the Throne of France." Readers of fiction will find their tastes gratified by the continuation How important it is to make provision of "The Bread Winners," and "Dr. Sevier," for old age of a more exalted kind than the conclusion of "The Impressions of a Cousthat which wealth affords. "A man's in," and the opening chapters of "An Average Man." "Original Documents of the New life consisteth not in the abundance of Testament," and "The Frieze of the Parthethe things which he possesseth." non are scholarly articles of great value. LESSON I. EPIPHANY. January 6, 1884. THE CONFERENCE AT JERUSALEM.-Acts 15: 1-11. 1. And certain men which came down from Judea, taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. 2. When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. 3. And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, decla ring the conversion of the Gentiles, and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. 4. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them. 5. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees, which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses. 6. And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter. 7. And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago, God made choice among us, that the Gentiles, by my mouth, should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us: 9. And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith, 10. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11. But we believe, that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as they. OUTLINE: { S 1. THE FIRST DISPUTE. Vs. 1-5. 2. THE FIRST SYNOD. Vs. 6-11. GOLDEN TEXT.—We believe, that through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we shall be saved even as they. V. 11. INSTRUCTION. TIME: A. D. 50. PLACE: Jerusalem. Minor to Christ. 4. Received: a public, hon1. Certain men: Jews who had become con- orable reception was given to the missionaries. verts to Christianity. From Judea: especially Declared: gave a statement of the results of from Jerusalem. Came down-i. e. to Anti- their work, and acknowledged God's hand in och, (see v. 23). Brethren: Christians. Be the work. 5. Pharisees: the strict observers circumcised: the leading act by which to enter of rites and ceremonies. Needful to circumcise into the Jewish covenant. Now these Judai- them: the Gentile believers. 6. Came together zing teachers declared that Christian believers officially, the first Synod of the Church. 7. Much must be circumcised. This was the first inter-disputing: free speech was allowed. Peter nal dissension raised in the Church. 2. Paul and Barnabas: the two great missionaries. Disputation: argument. They had been circumcised, but did not ask Gentile believers to submit to the same rite. Go up to Jerusalem, where was the mother Church of Christians, and where a decision of the question should be given. 3. Phenice: north-west of Palestine. Samaria: north of Judea. Conversion of Gentiles the turning of the heathen of Asia rose up: his speech threw clear light on the subject, and was worthy of being recorded. The Gentiles: Cornelius and his family were the first heathen family admitted into the Church; they were not circumcised. 8. Them: Gentiles. Us: Jews. 10. Yoke: a burden, hindrance. 11. We believe: a short creed is given in v. 11. Grace mercy. We, (Jews), are saved, not by circumcision, but by grace; even so shall the Gentiles be saved. QUESTIONS. 1. When did the events of the lesson take place? What did "certain men" teach Whence did they come? In what city did they thus hinder the work of Paul and Barnabas ? 2. What now arose in the Church? Was this the first internal dissension? Was there now an attempt to create a difference in faith and practice? What was then determined? Why to Jerusalem? Who were to decide the question whether circumcision was necessary? 3. How were the delegates to conference "brought on their way"? Through what countries did they pass? What did they make known on the way? What effect had the tidings? 4. How were the delegates received at Jerusalem? What did they declare? To whom did they attribute their success? 5. Who were the Pharisees? What did they teach? 6. Who came together? Was this the first conference or Synod? 7. Was the privilege of free discussion allowed? What apostle set the matter in a clear light? To whose conversion did he refer? By whose teaching had Cornelius been converted? Was he circumcised? 8-10. How did God "bear witness? " Were the Gentiles put on equality with Jews? How are "hearts purified?" What is meant by tempting God? (Trying His patience, and provoking Him by error). yoke?" To what yoke does he refer? (That of rites and ceremonies). What is "a 11. What have we in this verse ? By what are we saved? What is grace? How are Jews saved? How Gentiles? CATECHISM.' Ques. 101. May we then swear religiously by the name of God? Ans. Yes; either when the magistrates demand it of the subjects, or when necessity requires us thereby to confirm fidelity and truth, to the glory of God, and the safety of our neighbor; for such an oath is founded on God's word, and therefore was justly used by the saints, both in the Old and New Testament. LESSON I. Epiphany. Jan. 6, 1884. vented them from eating with the Gentiles. Antioch was the city in which the first internal dissension in the Church arose; but it was not caused by members of the congregation in that city, but by certain men from Jerusalem. Antioch was the capital of Syria, and was about 300 miles from Jerusalem, and contained about half a million of people. At that time Jerusalem contained, perhaps, two-and-a-half millions of inhabitants. It was then a city of great magnificence. The Judaizing Party. V. 1. Certain men from Judea-evidently members of the Christian Church in Jerusalem (see v. 5). In Galatians 2: 4, Paul calls them "false brethren unawares brought in, who came to spy out our liberty." They had been Pharisees originally, and had since professed the Christian faith. The Pauline Party. Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension with them. Paul was not the man to yield his convictions when a principle was at stake. In this case he was clear in his views, and decided in their defense. How much does the Church owe to him for the noble stand taken by him at that time! "What would have become of Christianity as a religion for the world, if it had been tied forever to the ceremonial law, and made a mere offshoot of Judaism!" Remember that Antioch was the capital of Gentile-Christianity; there too the name Christian was first given to the disciples. And if the Church had then and there been converted into a mere Jewish sect, Christianity could not, humanly speaking, have become the religion of the nations of the earth. An unnecessary hindrance would have been placed in the way of the conversion of the Gentiles. Fortunately, the Pauline party successfully resisted this perversion of Christianity in Antioch; and they wisely determined to crush it in its own place of origin―in Jerusalem. Circumcised after the manner of Moses. That is, these men insisted that converts from the heathen must enter the Church through the door of Judaism. They evidently regarded Christianity as but a sect or school of Judaism-a reform movement in the bosom of the Old Covenant. Ye cannot be saved- They determined that Paul and Barthus they contradicted all of the teach-nabas should go up to Jerusalem about ings of Paul and his fellow-laborers. this question! The dispute should be referred to the Apostles and elders, in the mother-Church. Certain others of them-one of whom was Titus (Gal. 2: 1-3), a Gentile convert. Paul and Barnabas appeal to their brethren at Jerusalem, well knowing that the Apostles would agree with them. (v. 3). The Church at Antioch provided for the journey of the delegates, and sent guides or a guard along. Passing through Phenicia and Samaria they told the good news, that the Gentiles were turning to the Lord; and this caused great rejoicing. Bear in mind, (1), that these men did not only regard circumcision as expedient or desirable, but as necessary to salvation. (2.) It was natural that they should think so; for they believed, rightly too, that circumcision was Divinely appointed. They knew that their religion was Divine. For 1500 years it had been adhered to. Should it now be suddenly abrogated? (3.) These Jewish-Christians were willing that the Gentiles should be saved, but differed from Paul as to the mode. They wanted them to become Jewish proselytes first. Not so, said Paul. Repentance, and faith in Christ, quali fied them to pass right through the open door of Baptism into the Church. (4.) But the social and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles had much to do with causing this division. How could they mingle together in the Church? The Jewish ceremonials pre-isees. This does not refer to what had V. 4. They were gladly received. The delegation was welcomed at Jerusalem. The Church, and Apostles and elders greeted them, and then listened to their account of what God had wrought through His missionaries. V. 5. But there rose up * * Phar |