enterprise of this sort, at a cost of about $6,000 a year. Bishop Williams Asks for a Coadjutor The senior Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States is the venerable Dr. John Williams, of Connecticut. He has recently issued a letter which was read in the Episcopal churches of Connecticut on Sunday, May 9, part of which is as follows: It has been my expectation and hope that I might very soon resume the active work of the diocese, but I find this hope must be given up. Moreover, the time has come when, in my opinion, a due regard for the wellbeing of the diocese and a proper consideration of my own condition make it right that 1 should ask the diocese to elect a bishop-coadjutor. According to Canon 19, Chapter IV., Title I., the Bishop of the diocese, in giving his consent to the election of such a bishop-coadjutor, is required to state the duties which will be assigned to him. It will be my purpose to assign to him all the duties connected with the visitation of the parishes for confirmation and other ordinary matters, and also from time to time to devolve upon him the ordination to the priesthood and the diaconate, the laying of corner-stones and the consecrations of churches. I shall also relinquish one-half of the salary now paid me, for the benefit of the coadjutor, and hope that the diocese will undertake to make such further provision for his maintenance as will be just and honorable. Bishop Williams has had a long and honorable record. He was born in Deerfield, Mass., August 30, 1817, and is now about eighty years of age. He was ordained by Bishop Brownell in 1838. He has been a rector in Middletown, Conn., and in Schenectady, N. Y. In 1848 he was made President of Trinity College; in 1851 became Assistant Bishop of Connecticut, and in 1865 full Bishop. The question as to who will be his assistant is already being actively canvassed. Among the names mentioned we notice the Rev. E. S. Lines, of New Haven; the Rev. John Lindsay, D.D., of Boston; the Rev. W. R. Huntington, D.D., and the Rev. D. H. Greer, D.D., of New York. Bishop Nelson on Divorce Bishop Nelson, of Georgia, is evidently a very practical and positive man. His address before the Diocesan Convention, which was delivered in Macon, Ga., on May 5, contained many passages of startling directness. Among other questions he treated that of divorce. His position was distinctly in opposition to the remarriage of divorced persons. He declared that it is clearly against the law and the spirit of the Church to sanction such marriages, and warned the clergy that, in a case where a person who had been divorced wished to marry again, it was the duty of the minister to communicate with him before performing such service, and that he should certainly never give his sanction to the remarriage of a supposed innocent party who had been divorced from a supposed guilty party. He regarded the institution of matrimony as a sacred obligation, and was clearly convinced that no secular court had the right to pass upon the guilt or innocence of such parties. While there might be some reasons that would render a separation between a man and a woman necessary, there was no law that entitled either party to contract another marriage during the lifetime of the other contracting party to the original union. The position of Bishop Nelson on this subject is nearly if not quite identical with that which has been taken recently in the English Church, where the whole subject has received much attention. The Summer at Northfield Mr. Moody is as active as ever in making ar rangements for his summer schools and conven. tions at Northfield. The season will begin on June 10. Graduation Day at Mount Hermon is June 15, when the address will be given by Dr van Dyke, of New York. The World's Student Conference will be held from June 25 to July 4. Among the speakers are President Patton, Drs. van Dyke, Mackenzie, Schauffler, and others. The Young Women's Christian Association Conference will be held July 9-20, and will be addressed by eminent speakers, both men and women. The General Conference for Christian Workers will be July 29 to August 16. Among the speakers at this Conference will be the Rev. H. C. MacGregor, of London, the Rev. Campbell Morgan, of Birmingham, Bishop Newman, Dr. H. C. Mabey, the Rev. A. C. Dixon, and the Rev. R. A. Torrey. It need not be said that the central figure during the whole time will be Mr. Moody himself. The Scotch Evangelist in New York The Rev. John McNeill, who is popularly known as "the Scotch Spurgeon," is making a decided impression with his evangelistic services in New York. His career has been a unique one. He was formerly a mechanic in Scotland. Gradually he came to appreciate his need of an education, and took the regular courses at the Univer sity. He was settled at one time in Edinburgh, where it was proposed to build for him a huge tabernacle. After three years he went to London, and that, perhaps, was the mistake of his life. He could not sustain the peculiar traditions of the Regent's Park Church, whose pastorate he assumed. He is essentially a man of the common people. After giving up that pulpit he entered evangelistic work, and has very nearly if not quite made the circuit of the globe. He is described as a singularly vivid and picturesque speaker, with great directness, inimitable wit, and gen ine earnestness. If we may judge from the criticisms which have been made on his preaching in England, we should say that his danger is in the too free use of humorous anecdotes, although that danger seems to have been guarded against in New York. He is surely a unique man, and quite as wonderful in his way as Mr. Moody or Mr. Spurgeon. He is a preacher to the masses rather than to the more thoughtful and cultivated. Of his sincerity and power we judge there can be no question. The Congregational Home Missionary Society The Congregational Home Missionary Society will hold its seventy-first anniversary at Saratoga Springs June 1-3. Arrangements have been made for a singularly interesting and profitable meeting. The opening address will be delivered by General 0.0. Howard, and the annual sermon will be preached by the Rev. Frank T. Bailey, of Denver, Colo. In addition to those by the officials of the Board, addresses will be given by representatives of the Society on the frontier, and by prominent ministers and laymen. The closing meeting will be held on the evening of June 3, when the speakers will be the Rev. John L. Scudder, of Jersey City, the Rev. Reuen Thomas, D.D., of Brookline, and the Rev. A. H. Bradford, D.D., of Montclair. Special rates are offered on the railways and at the hotels, and there is no more beautiful season for visiting Saratoga. The Congregational churches ought to send large delegations to this anniversary of one of the most important of their Societies. The Rev. William H. Noyes After a service of eight or nine years as a missionary in Japan, the Rev. William H. Noyes has resigned his position and returned to this country. The appointment of Mr. Noyes was vigorously opposed by the conservative members of the corporation of the American Board. After two or three years' service in Japan, however, he was accepted by the Board. During all the years of his work there he has been one of the most conservative of the missionaries in his methods of conducting the work. Few men have been more consecrated or devoted in teaching, and in touring he has been tireless. The circumstances in which he has worked have been peculiarly difficult, but in the midst of them all he has conducted himself with singular dignity and devotion. For reasons personal to himself he has now returned to take up a different line of work in this country. Few missionaries have done better service than Mr. Noyes. In no case has he proved himself unworthy of the confidence which was given him by his appointment to the Japan mission. When he felt that he could no longer continue in the service of the Board, with characteristic manliness he resigned. In other ways and in another place he is sure to do good service to the kingdom of God. A Well-Deserved Tribute The celebration of the twenty-five years which have been spent in Oakland, Cal., by the Rev. J. C. McLean, D.D., was a worthy tribute to a noble man. During most of that time Dr. McLean was pastor of the First Congregational Church of that city, which under his ministry grew to be one of the largest and strongest in the country, and perhaps the strongest on the Pacific coast. Since retiring from the pastorate of that church Dr. McLean has been President of the Pacific Theological Seminary. Representatives of the various denominations, of the State University, and distinguished citizens united in expressing their appreciation of the man and of his work. He has been emphatically a citizenpastor, but at the same time a minister of the Gospel and a preacher of righteousness in the Dr. McLean is still largest and noblest sense. in the prime of his powers, and destined to The Semi-Centennial of Mr. Beecher's The fiftieth anniversary of the first sermon preached by Henry Ward Beecher in Brooklyn was celebrated with special services in Plymouth Church on Sunday, May 16. The sermon in the morning was delivered by the Rev. Lyman Abbott, D.D., who chose as his subject "The Church and the Preacher; or, The New Puritanism." Dr. Abbott contrasted the Puritan theology of two centuries ago with that of the present time. He said that the central thought of Mr. Beecher's teaching was that God is love, and the distinguishing characteristic of Plymouth Church and of Mr. Beecher was loyalty to Christ as the ultimate authority in religion. The sermon in the evening was by the Rev. Amory H. Bradford, D.D., who spoke on "Puritan Principles and the Modern World." Dr. Bradford declared that all that is essential in Puritanism has been the inspiration of all that is best in modern civilization, and that the need of the hour is a new emphasis on the principles of Puritanism, which are: individual responsibility to God; the rights of the conscience in spiritual things; the church should be composed only of the regenerate, and all the people may be trusted. Mr. Beecher was declared to be the impersonation of the Puritan spirit, The Cry of Tortured Cuba To the Editors of The Outlook: In the current number of the "Review of Reviews" there appears what seems to be a very sober and restrained account of the situation in Cuba. Its general statements correspond with the reports which have been coming from that unfortunate island for several years. It gives instances, with names and dates, within a general situation whose proper epithet is atrocious. I do not propose to enter at all into the question of the right of Spain to suppress insurrection by force, or of the right of the Cubans to fight for independence, or of the fitness of the Cubans for self-government, or of the desirability of Cuban territory to the United States. But I would raise the question whether or not, on quite other grounds, the United States has any concern in the matter? The simple fact appears to be that what is assumed to be a state of war in Cuba is not that in reality, but organized murder. Men are being shot down, not in battle, not even by the stern decisions of military courts, but wantonly, cruelly, brutally. The men thus murdered already number thousands, and the carnage goes on daily. Men are being deported to pestilential penal colonies in Africa without even the semblance of forms of law. Thousands of poor men, women, and children are shut up in places where they cannot earn a livelihood, and are allowed to perish of starvation. Prisoners of war on either side are shown no quarter, but butchered on the spot. These things are open, notorious, not even denied by the parties concerned. These things have been going on for so long that the horror which their first occurrence stirred in us has been replaced by a still more horrible apathy. Is there any power on God's fair earth which might speak the word that would stop this horror? Is the United States the one to speak the word? Why is it not spoken? The Christian nations believe unanimously that this duty is ours to perform. They do not expect us to perform it, because they believe we are so engrossed in money-making and so tied in impotency by political strife that we cannot be looked to do any unselfish duty. Still, they say, and say truly, that this abomination lies reeking at our door. They shrug their shoulders and say, "If the Americans are not disturbed by the shrieks of women, by the groans of murdered youths, by the odor of burning human flesh, by the scant consideration accorded to their flag, there is nothing to be done." Let us say once more, the question is not at present whether or not we should recognize Cuba; whether or not we should go to war with Spain; whether or not we should attempt to administer the affairs of the island ourselves. Any one of these questions might or might not arise out of any action we might take. But the simple question now is, Shall we any longer regard with indifference a condition of things, lying under our own eyes, which is a disgrace to our common humanity? The arguments for non-intervention are just two: First, that it is none of our concern; second, that to interfere would surely cause compli cations of such fearful consequence that we can only hold aloof and wait for the evil to end itself in its own time and way. As to the first of these, the reply is, In a sense it is true. Legally it is no concern of mine if a brute beats to death his wife and babes at my back door. I am too busy to interfere. The wife and children were probably aggravating, and they are all a bad lot, anyway. But, having so dismissed the matter, I could not expect honorable men to recognize me thereafter. As to the second, it may be said, with the diffidence of one not in position to know officially the situation, that there seems to be but slight reason to think that any complication whatever would arise as a result of the United States saying peremptorily to all concerned that we will not permit savagery under the name of warfare to continue another day so close to us. spoken in a tone which would end the business. appear. A single stern word, would show sincerity, At least so it would But suppose our interference should be resisted, even with war? The answer is, we have declared that we are concerned in all the political affairs of this conti nent. For us to exploit the "Monroe Doctrine" at times when it is to our advantage, and disclaim it at times when it involves responsibility and cost, is not only to confess ourselves an unworthy people, but seriously to jeopardize the Doctrine itself. In The Outlook of May 1, speaking of the negro poet, Paul Dunbar, occurs the following passage: "The significance of the book lay in the fact that it was the first volume of its quality which had come from the hand of a negro," etc., etc. Phillis Wheatley, a negro poetess, born in Africa about 1753, died in Boston 1794. "She was well educated by her mistress and her daughters, acquired a superior education, reading Latin with facility." At an early age she began rhyming, visited England and published a volume of her poems dedicated to the Countess of Huntingdon. The book went through several editions in Boston. I remember a copy in my father's house, with a portrait of the author-black as tar, but without strong negro features. Being very young at that time, I cannot, of course, speak as to the merits of the work. Later Miss Wheatley addressed a poem to George Washington, which he acknowledged by a neat note of courtesy. C. A. PARKER. Notes and Queries NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS.-It is seldom possible to answer any inquiry in the next issue after its receipt. Those who find expected answers late in coming will, we hope, bear in mind the impediments arising from the constant pressure of many subjects upon our limited space. Communications should always bear the writer's name and address. I desire to get your opinion on a few points: 1. Upon what are the modern churches founded? 2. How are we to understand Isaiah xlv. in relation to Cyrus? 3. What are we to understand by the words of Jesus in John iii., 3-5 4. What is meant by Revelation xiv., 6-8? 5. What did Paul mean in Hebrews v., 1-5? C. A. W. 1. The Church is represented in the New Testament as founded simply upon faith in God as revealed in Christ. Some modern churches seem to have added to this foundation various annexes of doctrine; as, for instance, when it is held that bishops are essential, not merely to the wellbeing, but to the very being, of a church. 2. It was written by the Second Isaiah, at the time when the victories of Cyrus afforded a presage of his subjugation of Babylon and the rise and dominance of the Persian power. In this conqueror the writer sees an instrument of Jehovah for the deliverance of Israel from its captivity, for its restoration to the Holy Land, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 3. Taken in connection with Nicodemus's address to Jesus as a teacher, it means that the fruition of the highest good under the divine government (or seeing the kingdom of God) depends, not on the acquisition of knowledge, but on the quickening of man's spiritual life by the Spirit of God. 4. The vision here related views the eternal gospel, or, literally, good news, as consisting in the announcement that judgment is to be executed on the anti-Christian power called "Babylon probably pagan Rome, the persecutor of the Church. 5. The unknown writer, not Paul, ex presses the idea contained in various sayings of Christ, that in his priestly office of bringing men to God he neither spoke nor acted of himself, but through the Spirit of the Father. 1. Please state what is the relation of the Trinity in the Godhead, and how you explain the enigma of three persons being only one in fact. Theologians appear avoid this question, and I have never seen a satisfactory explanation. 2. I also ask if the doctrine of self-con sciousness after death is to be accepted as meaning that the spirits of the departed will know what is taking place in this world, and recognize their relatives and friends in the other. 3. Also, are there two judgments, one at death, and another at some future time, when all that have ever lived on earth will have to render an account of their acts and thoughts while in life? J. E. 1. The enigma is largely, if not altogether, cleared by regarding the Divine Trinity as a trinity of personal powers-not "persons" in the proper sense; a trinity of personal agencies, not personal agents. This is quite consistent with unity of being and will. The hold which this doctrine has had on highly philosophical minds forbids one to regard it as so absurd as some pretend. If you care to investigate it, see "Gloria Patri: Our Talks on the Trinity" (Thomas Whittaker, New York). 2. Not necessarily; still, it is entirely consistent with such a belief, for which some very good reasons can be adduced. 3. There are a good many judgment days in human history and in individual experience, but there is no sound reason to believe that the judgment which takes place at death on the results of this life, in consequence of which each goes to his own place in the next world, according as he has lived in this world, is to be repeated in some great and general assize, when the immensely remote end of this world is reached. Please give me a list of books for a friend who has been for many years an earnest church member, but who is troubled, like "the Rabbi" in Ian Maclaren's novel" Kate Carnegie," with Calvinistic doubts of her election to salvation-oftentimes feeling that perhaps God does not wish her to be saved. C. Bits of Fun "See here," said the editor-in-chief, "that Kalamazoo correspondent has again used 'lie for lay. Send him a copy of the ten commandments, and underscore "Thou shalt not lie."— Philadelphia North American. Mrs. Kelly-Yes, Mrs. Casey, me hoosband left home two wakes ago, an' où haven't seen him Minat. Mrs. Casey-An' what made him do that, Ms. Kelly? Mrs. Kelly-Faith, de doctor says he links be run away in a fit of temporary sanity. Harper's Bazar, The Ultimate Test.-"I hear," said Mr. Rafferty, "that the Turks hor more min than the (hooka." "They hov. But the question av rale importance ain't which hov the most whin they shtart the aght, but which hov the mosht whin they get through." -Washington Star. The following appears in an appeal in the "Church Dimes on behalf of a proposed mortuaty chapel in the East End: "On the south side of the church we have a spare piece of ground, whore we propose to build a light, cheerful morde, large enough to contain three or four cortus at the same time." "Yesterday," said Jabson, "I refused a poor woman a request for a small sum of money, and Cequence of my act I passed a sleepless The tones of her voice were ringing in my "Your softness of heart at the whole time." do you credit," said Mabson; "who was the WOMAN "My wife."-Detroit Free Press. "What's that job worth?" they asked the con "Well," he said slowly, "that depends good deal upon circumstances. If it was ordered by an individual, I should think that $100 would be about the limit; but if it's done for the city pu county. I shouldn't think of charging a bit less thau gesit with a clause in the contract permitting me to make an additional charge for extras." Ciugu Avening Post, About People B. William 1. Deboe, the new Senator from Kentucky, both a doctor and a lawyer. After fisunding Ewag College, Illinois, he was graduAped to medicus from the Medical University of Fonte dhe pa ticed for a time, and then took up Dr. Deboe's first notable parthat politics was his election as a delegate to Pay Varunal Convention of the Republican The new Pome Minister of Greece, M. Deof He unique Wall to about fifty years age. kauneid he weputation by his trenchant leaderhot play res vi opposition in the Greek Boulé, 1 Pamyu He studied law at the Universities * Vikous and Darce, and is considered one of the most distinguished jurists in Greece. He has been -In his recent lecture at Oxford on the Eng- -They tell this story of Lord Rosebery, who is a very bad shot: Not long ago he was on the Scotch moors, and, having unsuccessfully fired at a covey of birds that rose not more than twenty yards ahead, he exclaimed: "It is strange that none of them fell! I'm positive that some of them must have been struck!" "I dinna doot," returned the keeper, with the usual freedom of his class, "that they were struck wi' astonishment at gettin' off sae easy!" -For the past ten years eight brothers have had almost complete control of Mississippi politics. Their name is McLaurin. A. J. McLaurin is Governor of the State; Sylvester McLaurin is District Attorney; Dr. McLaurin is prominently connected with the State Board of Health; R. L. McLaurin controls the levee system of the State; Walter McLaurin is Warden of the Penitentiary; W. K. McLaurin is District Judge of the Vicksburg Circuit; Sydney McLaurin, the youngest, is private secretary to the Governor; and Wallace McLaurin is now in Idaho as Inspector of Minerals. -A programme of the commencement exercises at Yale College in 1856 is of special interest. Mr. Chauncey M. Depew was a member of that class, and in looking over the programme the other day he remarked how impossible it is to foresee a man's vocation by his graduation essay. For instance, the essay of Henry Billings Brown, now one of the United States Supreme Court Justices, was on "The Supernatural in Literature." Another Supreme Court Justice, David Josiah Brewer, spoke on "The Estimate of Life a Criterion of the State of Civilization." The late Professor of Greek, Lewis Richard Packard, had for his subject "The Eloquence of Revolutions." Benjamin Drake Magruder, who became a Judge of the Supreme Court of Illinois, spoke about "The Heir of All the Ages." Mr. Depew's own theme was "Literary Life." -The celebrated gunmaker, M. Martini, who died recently in Switzerland, began to make rifles forty years ago. He achieved neither fame nor fortune, however, until 1869, when a combination of the Martini breech-action with a Henry barrel was selected from a large number of rifle |