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INTERPRETATION OF SCRIPTure.

For the Young People.

INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE.

It is one of the rules of Biblical criticism to use the most natural and obvious methods in explaining the text of Scripture. Of course all miracles are not to be brought down to the natural and commonplace; but on the other hand, neither are natural causes to be ignored in explaining or in interpreting Scripture texts. For example, take the miracle of the draught of fishes; it is not necessary to suppose that the fish were special ly and miraculously created for that occasion, nor even that they were miraculously herded together, so to speak; the fact that Christ knew where they were and was able to give information to the disciples by which they were sure of a large haul of fish was sufficient. And no doubt some erroneous conceptions of miracles reported in the Bible are due to misinterpretation of the Hebrew-a language without vowels, until the time of the Massorites--which caused

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a misconception and mistranslation of their meaning by substituting the wrong vowel sounds, just as Brn might be rendered Burn, Barn, or Borne, according to the vowels sup plied. Such mistakes are many, and, to cite one long known to scholars, we may mention Gen. xlvii. 31, where "Israel bowed himself on the bed's head," though the Epistle to the He. brews, chapter xi 21, quoting this verse fromthe Septuagint Greek translation, makes him bow "upon the top of his staff," the original Hebrew word hmith being bed or staff according to the vowels supplied. It is hard to say which is correct; and both make equally good sense.

FIRST THE BLADE.

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This is an unfortunate attitude to assume for several reasons. First, because it is unreasonable. Normal growth is a process which cannot be hastened by so much as the transition of a single atom.

natural processes is a presumtuous Again, impatience of results by attitude. It seems to assume that

God was mistaken when He ordained the natural order of increase in things then the ear, then the corn in the ear." natural and spiritual, "First the blade, The impatient man would at once establish another order,-"to-day the sowing, to morrow the full harvest." Unconsciously, perhaps, but none the less actually, he is trying to introduce what he considers a better method than God's into the economy of the universe. It is a poor, pitiful kind of presumption, for the impatient man is always ground under the wheels tion, nevertheless, and always hurts of his own haste. But it is a presumpemulous to help. the cause which it was so unwisely

victories which a man can gain over It is one of the most significant himself, to become patient in the abiding of results. Perhaps Milton meant something more than we commonly credit him with meaning when "He also serves who only stands and waits." he sung:

For waiting is a service sometimes, and the most effectual service which one can render. It is one of the most essential qualities of a good husband

man. natural or spiritual, When we have done all we can to bring the material of life into touch with the forces of life, then our duty is to stand by and wait. It is God who giveth the increase.

belief and to a practical unity. Traditions, customs, conveniences, confessions would shrivel into nothingness in the presence of the one question, What does the Head say? Headship means rulership and authority.

JESUS THE LAWGIVER OF THE THE BIRTHDAY OF GENERAL

CHURCH.

As the Head of the Church Jesus alone is the lawgiver in Zion. The words of Christ are the laws of the church.

The commands of Christ are the constitution of the church. No civil ruler or commonwealth may come in to dictate to the church or impose laws for its spiritual guidance. No conference or Union or Council, Ecumenical or otherwise, has any right to usurp the power which Christ alone has of rulership. What Jesus does not command, explicitly, can not be binding upon the believer or the community of believers. What He does command is binding upon the believer and the church. There must be a glad and irreversible surrender to the expressed will of Christ. His words are not the whims of a Czar, but the wise commands of the Lord. The Romish church declares that Jesus has made two revelations of His will-Scripture and Tradition, both under the authoritative interpretation of the historic Roman Church. Against her we protest that in the Scriptures alone we have the revealed will of Christ. The New Testament, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, becomes thereby the supreme rule of the New Testament Church. The Protestant believer and the Protestant congregation unite in declaring that the Scriptures alone declare the mind of Christ. If this admitted principle should thoroughly work its way into the life and thought of Christ's people there would be a large and instant advance to a correcter be

GRANT.

Seventy years ago a boy was born in an Ohio farm-house. He grew up, a stocky, sturdy, rather silent young fellow, easily out-stripped and outshone in the schoolroom by classmates whose names are already forgotten. He had, however, the antique Persian virtues, he could ride, he could shoot, and he could speak the truth. Grown a little older, he served a creditable apprenticeship at soldiering, then tried his hand at farming, then at the real estate business. Other young men of his age got on and made money; he didn't. His thirty-eighth year found him. clerking in a hardware and leather store at a salary of $800.

Two years later he was capturing Fort Donelson and earning his commission as Major General. Four years later congress was voting him a gold medal for the capture of Vicksburg. Five years later, being then Lieutenant-General, he was closeted with Robert E. Lee at Appomattox, drawing up the most generous terms of surrender ever accorded by a victorious soldier to the vanquished. Six years later the ex-clerk of the Galena hardware and leather store, was General of the army, and the most famous man in the world. Nine years later he was standing in front of the Capitol, taking the oath of office as eighteenth President of the United States.

A few days since, in the presence of the twenty-third President, the people of the chief city of the Union

HOW HIGH IS THE ATMOSPHERE.

gathered on the bank of the great river which he loved, boy and man, to lay the cornerstone of Grant's monument.

HOW HIGH IS THE ATMOS

PHERE.

One would hardly think of looking to the moon for information about the height of the earth's atmosphere. Yet it is just that way that evidence has recently been obtained that the atmosphere extends much higher than has commonly been assumed.

Observations of lunar eclipses made at the celebrated observatory of Lord Rosse in Ireland have shown that the amount of heat received from the moon, which heat is, of course, merely reflected sun heat, just as moonlight is only reflected sunlight, begins perceptibly to diminish several minutes before the shadow of the earth reaches the moon.

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The inference is that the earth's atmosphere partially cuts off the sun's heat as it comes between the moon and the sun ahead of the edge of the solid earth, and calculations based upon the length of time during which the loss of heat from the moon is felt be

fore the eclipse begins indicate that our atmosphere reaches a height of at least 190 miles.

How different this is from the height usually stated may be seen by consulting a popular school book on physical geography, published within a few years, in which it is affirmed that beyond a height of forty miles the amount of air remaining would be too small to affect the sun's rays perceptibly in any way.

So in the most unexpected and sometimes wonderful, ways we are continually learning something new about this time-worn globe on whose surface we dwell.

Editorial Notes and Comments.

LITERARY NOTES.

MR. J. MORRIS JONES, M. A., has written an excellent survey of our native literature for the new issue of the Gwyddoniadur.

LATELY two boxes containing £30 worth of books were sent by Mr. W. Jenkins, bookseller, Aberystwyth, to Patagonia.

"MORIEN" believes that the true Ancient British Church of Wales was consecrated by St. Paul himself, and that the Epistle to the Hebrews was composed by him in its midst during his seven years' residence in the Vale

Glamorgan, the visit terminating in the year 67. Such are the vagaries of the old school writers on Welsh history.

A WELL-WRITTEN and appreciative article appeared in last week's Speaker, on “A Mountain Chapel" in Wales.

THE Ven. Archdeacon Thomas has completed an Index to the "Archæologia Cambrensis" from 1816 to 1884.

"THOSE Who know Wales-and I see many of my brethren here-are aware that at present religious life in Wales is undergoing a profound change. We are all agreed in Wales, Nonconformists as well as Church

men, Liberals as well as Conservatives, that within twenty years the English language will be understood by every one throughout the Principality."-Dean of St. Asaph at the Central Council of Diocesan Conferences.

TEACHING WELSH.

It takes a Welshman to talk Welsh. Few foreigners are able to pronounce the Welsh ll. The author of "Yorkshire Folk-Talk" tells an amusing story of an Englishman's struggles to master that difficult sound.

The Englishman had been appointed to the Welsh see of St. David, and on taking up his abode in Wales engaged a native Welsh scholar to give him instruction in the language. The pronunciation, and especially the ll, bothered the bishop, and the Welshman was almost at his wit's end to explain the lingual process by which the formidable sound was to be uttered. At last a brilliant thought struck him, and being very obsequious in manner, he thus addressed the bishop :

"Your Lordship must be pleased to put your episcopal tongue to the roof of your apostolic mouth, and then hiss like a goose."

TRANSLATION OF A WELSH HYMN.

The following translations of the wellknown Welsh hymn, "Dysgwyl 'rwyf ar hyd yr hirnos," have been made by Mr. William Ap Rees and Mr. William Jones (Llundain), New York City. Both are well known and highly respected among a large circle of friends through the country. They have been sent to the CAMBRIAN by Mr. Thomas Morris, who is a mutual friend, with the request that we should decide which is the better translation. We prefer to submit them to the critical judgment of the readers of the CAMBRIAN. Who will decide?

In the lonely night I'm waiting,
Waiting for the dawn of day,
Waiting for the glorious opening-
Not a chain can stand nor stay,
In the morning,
Morning of the jubilee.

In the gloomy night I'm yearning,
For the morn of liberty,

Bars and chains and fetters breaking,
Letting bonded captives free;

Hail the dawning

Of the joyful jubilee.

PERSONAL AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

MR. D. LLOYD JONES. Pittsburgh, Pa., has been visiting in Oneida Co., N. Y.

SAMUEL B. GRIFFITH, Esq., Mercer, Pa., was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Chicago.

T. C. Jenkins, Esq., Pittsburgh, Pa., was among the first to send his check for $500 to the fund for aiding the sufferers at Oil City, Pa.

MR. W. C. BROWN, Fostoria, Ohio, was among the delegates to the Republican National Convention at Minneapolis, as representative of the 13th District, Ohio.

MISS GWEN JONES, the daughter of Mr. Thomas H. Jones, Lima, Ohio, after a successful course of study, was one of the graduates this year of Wooster University, Ohio.

THE Democratic National Convention held at Chicago have nominated Grover Cleveland, New York, and Adlai E. Stevenson, of Illinois, as candidates for President and Vice President of the United States.

THE Plymouth Congregational Church of Hyde Park, Scranton, Pa., under the ministry of Rev. J. L. Davies, late of Youngstown, O.. is very successful and flourishing. They find it necessary to build a new church.

REV. T. T. DAVIES, Richville, N. Y., has been invited to take charge of the English church at Philadelphia, N. Y., but probably will decline, in deference to the urgent desire of his people at Richville for him to remain.

WE regret to record the death of Mr. T. R. Hughes, Scranton, Pa., which took place on June 1st. Mr. Hughes was highly respected in the legal profession, and well known as an enthusiastic Cambro-American, an excellent writer, and highly esteemed in the community.

AMONG those who visited the Pacific coast this spring we may mention the following Cambro-Americans: Rev. E. W. Brown, Newark, Ohio; Mr. John A. Lloyd, Jackson, Ohio, and Dr. J. D. Thomas, Pittsburgh, Pa. We understand that they had a delightful time, and enjoyed their trip immensely.

WE regret to announce the resignation of Rev. T. C. Davies as pastor of the C. M. church at Pittsburgh, Pa., on account of poor health. Mr. Davies is a strong and eloquent preacher, and has been a faithful pastor. He occupies an honored position among his brethren in the ministry.

MR. JOHN EVANS, Superintendent of the Oliver Mills, on his departure for a visit to Wales this summer, was presented by the workmen with a valuable gold watch as a token of their esteem and good will. Hon. Miles S. Humphrey delivered the presentation address.

A MONUMENT in memory of the late Rev. D. J. Jenkins, Jackson, O., was unveiled at Horeb cemetery on last Decoration Day. It cost $875, which had been subscribed for the purpose by friends. Revs. J. Mostyn Jones, Oak Hill; J. S. Thomas, Jackson; David Thomas, Denver, Colo.; and Messrs. D. J. Evans, Lot Davies and D. A. Lloyd and others took part in the services.

HON. SAMUEL LLEWELYN, member of the Ohio Assembly for Jackson Co., was one of the delegates at the Minneapolis Convention.

Several other prominent Welshmen were present, such as Benjamin Hughes, Esq., Superintendent for D. L. Coal Co., Scranton, Pa., as delegate; also ex-Senator Mr. B. Williams, Wilkes barre, Pa., and others.

THE Young Men's Blaine Club of Cincinnati, O., was among the first to ratify the Republican nominations for President and Vice President. Hon. David Davies, Cin. cinnati, took a prominent part in the meeting, and delivered an eloquent address in behalf of the ticket. The audience was large and enthusiastic.

NOTES FROM WALES.

REV. WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Granville, N. Y.. has been appointed delegate for Washington and Rensselaer Counties to the National Prohibition Convention held in Cincinnati, June 29th.

AMONG the prominent and successful carpenter builders of Scranton, Pa., we are glad to find, the following enterprising Welshmen: Mr. Williaam R. Williams and Mr. Daniel Williams. Both are near relatives and natives of Rhandir-Mwyn, Carmarthenshire, and the latter is a brother of ex-Senator Morgan B. Williams, of Wilkesbarre.

THE C. M. Church at West Bangor, Pa., have lately built a beautiful new edifice, which is larger and more convenient than the old. We understand that it is also paid for. The dedication services were held lately, Revs Griffith Ellis, M. A., Liverpool; R. T. Jones, Philadelphia, and John ĤamThe church is mond, Bangor, officiating. prosperous, with Rev. H. F. Williams as pastor.

THE New York Tribune has lately been publishing a list of the millionaires of the country. Among them the following Welsh names appear: Daniel Edwards, Kingston, Pa.; C. E. Lewis and Richard Williams, Portland, Oregon; W. J. Howell, Antrim, Pa.; J. T. Jones, Bradford, Pa.; George B. Roberts, and Edward H. Williams, Philadelphia, Pa.; Thomas C. Jenkins and B. F. Lewis, Pittsburgh, Pa.; John S. Lewis, Ogden, Utah.

THE Saint David Society of Pittsburgh, Pa., gave a reception in their rooms to John Jarrett, Esq., U. S. Consul at Birmingham, Eng., on his recent visit to this country. Among those who rook part in the proceedings were Mr. D. J. Evans, President of the Society, T. C. Jenkins, Esq., Messrs. Al. J. Edwards, Miles S. Humphress, Jenkin Jones, Owen Jones, John W. Jones, John Evans, Dr. Davies, Prof. D. J. Davies, John Richards, Henry Rees, F. R. Phillips, Philadelphia, and others.

THE Welsh Presbyterian Church in 13th St., New York, has 357 members, five elders and a large Sunday school conducted in Welsh and English. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor held its anniversary May 1st. The attendance was large, and addresses were given by Rev. Mr. McClure, in English, Revs. Dr. Chidlaw and E. D. Evans in the Welsh language. The singing, led by a choir, had the jubilant ring of the service of praise among the mountains and in the sanctuaries of Wales. -N. Y. Evangelist.

SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION.

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The 33d General Convention of the Ohio Sunday School Convention, held at Lima, Obio, June 7. 8 and 9, was the largest and most successful ever held in the State. About 1000 delegates were present, and nearly every County in the State was represented. Among the delegates were the following:

Rev. B. W. Chidlaw, D.D.

Rev. W. A. Powell, Athens, Ohio.
Rev. W. M. Reese, Frankford, Ohio.
Mr. Wm. J. Williams, Gomer,
Miss Mary Jones,
Miss Ann Peate,

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AMERICAN TIN PLATE.

F. R. Phillips, of Philadelphia, has returned from a month's trip, having visited every tin plate plant in the West, and reports the actual developments far beyond his most sanguine expectations. Some especially fine mills are built, ready for operation, and many first class plants, with a steady output equal, and in many cases superior to the average Welsh works.

Automatic machinery is being adopted wherever practicable, which will soon give Americans an advantage over their foreign competitors, and will cheapen plates to con

sumers.

Mr. Phillips has also established a branch office in Chicago (Lake and Wabash Ave.), for the better handling of his increased trade through the West, and reports having sold twenty-five Morewood's complete tin sides (with ten more to be confirmed); also thirty of the tîn plate cleaning machines, which after much patience and skill on the part of the builders, are now a success; also sold six Edwards' patent tinning machines for bright plates, two Leyshon's patent tin and teme machines-all of the above west of Pittsburgh, with several under way for Eastern manufacturers.

NOTES FROM WALES.

DR. SAUNDERS still continues to improve, and the doctor's report is most encouraging. DR. LLEWELYN J. EVANS, the new Hebrew Professor at Bala College, has not been able to enter upon his duvies owing to illness. Dr. Evans took a severe cold shortly after reaching Wales from America.

WE regret to announce the death of the great Welsh tenor and choral leader, Eos Morlais, (Mr. Robert Rees), the sad event took place Sunday morning June 5th, at his home in Swansea, South Wales, aged 52. years.

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